Unit Dose Products Comprising a Non-Casted Film

ABSTRACT

A unit dose product having a non-casted film is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/229,833 filed Sep. 12, 2011, which is a continuation ofprior copending International Application No. PCT/US2011/042595, filedJun. 30, 2011, designating the U.S., which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,154, filed Jul. 2, 2010; priorcopending International Application No. PCT/US2011/042577, filed Jun.30, 2011, designating the U.S., which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,126, filed Jul. 2, 2010; and priorcopending International Application No. PCT/US2011/042599, filed Jun.30, 2011, designating the U.S., which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,129, filed Jul. 2, 2010; and priorcopending International Application No. PCT/US2011/042662, filed Jun.30, 2011, designating the U.S., which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,135, filed Jul. 2, 2010; and priorcopending International Application No. PCT/US2011/042565, filed Jun.30, 2011, designating the U.S., which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/361,146, filed Jul. 2, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for making films fromfilaments and/or fibers and/or nonwoven webs comprising filaments and/orfibers by converting the filaments and/or fibers and/or nonwoven websinto films.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casting processes for making films, especially water-soluble filmsand/or films comprising water-soluble film-forming materials, such aspolyvinyl alcohol, are known in the art. Such casting processes utilizea solution of a solvent and a film-forming material, such as polyvinylalcohol, that is deposited and/or flowed onto a casting surface, such asa metal wheel, roller or belt. The solvent is then removed from thesolution, for example by drying. Once the solvent is removed from thesolution, a film formed from the film-forming material remains on thecasting surface. It is known that casting processes for making films arevery time intensive as a result of the need to remove the solvent bydrying.

An example of a prior art casting process 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Asolution 12 comprising a solvent and a film-forming material isdeposited onto an endless metal band 14. The endless metal band 14transports the solution 12 into a dryer 16. As the solution 12 passesthrough the dryer 16 the solvent is removed from the solution 12 leavingthe film-forming material in the form of a film 18 on the endless metalband 14. The film 18 is then removed from the endless metal band 14 andwound into a roll 19.

Non-water soluble films and/or films comprising non-water solublenon-water soluble filament-forming materials, such as polypropylene,polyethylene, and thermotropic polymers (i.e., polymers that formliquid-crystalline melts) have been produced by spinning a web offilaments of such non-water soluble filament-forming materials and thenheat pressing the resulting web into a film, oftentimes a porous film.However, such non-water soluble films and/or films comprising non-watersoluble filament-forming materials are unsuitable for uses and/orproducts that require water-soluble films.

Accordingly, there is a need for a process for making films, especiallypolar solvent-soluble (for example water-soluble) films and/or filmsthat comprise polar solvent-soluble filament-forming materials and/orwater-soluble filament-forming materials that avoids the negatives ofknown film casting processes, especially the slow rate at which a filmis made from a cast solution comprising the solvent and the film-formingmaterial and/or filament-forming material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providing aprocess for making a film, for example a polar solvent-soluble filmand/or a film comprising a polar solvent-soluble filament-formingmaterial by converting a nonwoven web comprising filaments and/or fiberscomprising a polar solvent-soluble filament-forming material into afilm.

In one example of the present invention, a process for making a filmfrom a nonwoven web comprises the steps of:

a. providing a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of filamentscomprising a polar solvent-soluble filament-forming material; and

b. converting the nonwoven web into a film,

is provided.

In another example of the present invention, a film made by a processaccording to the present invention, is provided.

In still another example of the present invention, a unit dose product,such as laundry detergent pouch and/or dishwashing detergent pouch, forexample an automatic dishwashing detergent pouch, comprising the filmaccording to the present invention, is provided.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for making a filmand a film made by such a process as well as a unit dose productcomprising such film.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art casting process formaking a film;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of one example of a process formaking a film according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another example of a process formaking a film according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example of a patterned belt,an example of a nonwoven web carrier, which can be used in the processof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Filament” as used herein means an elongate particulate having a lengthgreatly exceeding its diameter, i.e. a length to diameter ratio of atleast about 10.

The filaments of the present invention may be spun from filament-formingcompositions via suitable spinning processes operations, such asmeltblowing and/or spunbonding.

The filaments of the present invention may be monocomponent and/ormulticomponent. For example, the filaments may comprise bicomponentfilaments. The bicomponent filaments may be in any form, such asside-by-side, core and sheath, islands-in-the-sea and the like.

The filaments of the present invention exhibit a length of greater thanor equal to 5.08 cm (2 in.) and/or greater than or equal to 7.62 cm (3in.) and/or greater than or equal to 10.16 cm (4 in.) and/or greaterthan or equal to 15.24 cm (6 in.).

Filaments are typically considered continuous or substantiallycontinuous in nature. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers (whichare less than 5.08 cm in length). Non-limiting examples of filamentsinclude meltblown and/or spunbond filaments.

In one example, one or more fibers may be formed from a filament of thepresent invention, such as when the filaments are cut to shorter lengths(such as less than 5.08 cm in length). Thus, in one example, the presentinvention also includes a fiber made from a filament of the presentinvention, such as a fiber comprising one or more filament-formingmaterials and optionally one or more additives, such as active agents.Therefore, references to filament and/or filaments of the presentinvention herein also include fibers made from such filament and/orfilaments unless otherwise noted. Fibers are typically considereddiscontinuous in nature relative to filaments, which are consideredcontinuous in nature.

“Filament-forming composition” as used herein means a composition thatis suitable for making a filament of the present invention such as bymeltblowing and/or spunbonding. The filament-forming compositioncomprises one or more filament-forming materials that exhibit propertiesthat make them suitable for spinning into a filament. In one example,the filament-forming material comprises a polymer. In addition to one ormore filament-forming materials, the filament-forming composition maycomprise one or more additives, for example one or more active agents.In addition, the filament-forming composition may comprise one or morepolar solvents, such as water, into which one or more, for example all,of the filament-forming materials and/or one or more, for example all,of the active agents are dissolved and/or dispersed.

In one example as shown in FIG. 3 a filament 16 of the present inventionmade from a filament-forming composition of the present invention issuch that one or more additives 18, for example one or more activeagents, may be present in the filament rather than on the filament, suchas a coating as shown in prior art FIGS. 1 and 2. The total level offilament-forming materials and total level of active agents present inthe filament-forming composition may be any suitable amount so long asthe filaments of the present invention are produced therefrom.

In one example, one or more additives, such as active agents, may bepresent in the filament and one or more additional additives, such asactive agents, may be present on a surface of the filament. In anotherexample, a filament of the present invention may comprise one or moreadditives, such as active agents, that are present in the filament whenoriginally made, but then bloom to a surface of the filament prior toand/or when exposed to conditions of intended use of the filament.

“Filament-forming material” as used herein means a material, such as apolymer or monomers capable of producing a polymer that exhibitsproperties suitable for making a filament. In one example, thefilament-forming material comprises one or more substituted polymerssuch as an anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and/or nonionic polymer. Inanother example, the polymer may comprise a hydroxyl polymer, such as apolyvinyl alcohol (“PVOH”) and/or a polysaccharide, such as starchand/or a starch derivative, such as an ethoxylated starch and/oracid-thinned starch. In another example, the polymer may comprisepolyethylenes and/or terephthalates. In yet another example, thefilament-forming material is a polar solvent-soluble material.

“Additive” as used herein means any material present in the filament ofthe present invention that is not a filament-forming material. In oneexample, an additive comprises an active agent. In another example, anadditive comprises a processing aid. In still another example, anadditive comprises a filler. In one example, an additive comprises anymaterial present in the filament that its absence from the filamentwould not result in the filament losing its filament structure, in otherwords, its absence does not result in the filament losing its solidform. In another example, an additive, for example an active agent,comprises a non-polymer material.

In another example, an additive comprises a plasticizer for thefilament. Non-limiting examples of suitable plasticizers for the presentinvention include polyols, copolyols, polycarboxylic acids, polyestersand dimethicone copolyols. Examples of useful polyols include, but arenot limited to, glycerin, diglycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol,butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, cyclohexane dimethanol, hexanediol,2,2,4-trimethylpentane-1,3-diol, polyethylene glycol (200-600),pentaerythritol, sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, manitol, lactitol andother mono- and polyhydric low molecular weight alcohols (e.g., C2-C8alcohols); mono di- and oligo-saccharides such as fructose, glucose,sucrose, maltose, lactose, high fructose corn syrup solids, anddextrins, and ascorbic acid.

In one example, the plasticizer includes glycerin and/or propyleneglycol and/or glycerol derivatives such as propoxylated glycerol. Instill another example, the plasticizer is selected from the groupconsisting of glycerin, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propyleneglycol, glycidol, urea, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, sugars, ethylenebisformamide, amino acids, and mixtures thereof.

In another example, an additive comprises a crosslinking agent suitablefor crosslinking one or more of the filament-forming materials presentin the filaments of the present invention. In one example, thecrosslinking agent comprises a crosslinking agent capable ofcrosslinking hydroxyl polymers together, for example via the hydroxylpolymers hydroxyl moieties. Non-limiting examples of suitablecrosslinking agents include imidazolidinones, polycarboxylic acids andmixtures thereof. In one example, the crosslinking agent comprises aurea glyoxal adduct crosslinking agent, for example adihydroxyimidazolidinone, such as dihydroxyethylene urea (“DHEU”). Acrosslinking agent can be present in the filament-forming compositionand/or filament of the present invention to control the filament'ssolubility and/or dissolution in a solvent, such as a polar solvent.

In another example, an additive comprises a rheology modifier, such as ashear modifier and/or an extensional modifier. Non-limiting examples ofrheology modifiers include but not limited to polyacrylamide,polyurethanes and polyacrylates that may be used in the filaments of thepresent invention. Non-limiting examples of rheology modifiers arecommercially available from. The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.).

In yet another example, an additive comprises one or more colors and/ordyes that are incorporated into the filaments of the present inventionto provide a visual signal when the filaments are exposed to conditionsof intended use and/or when an active agent is released from thefilaments and/or when the filament's morphology changes.

In still yet another example, an additive comprises one or more releaseagents and/or lubricants. Non-limiting examples of suitable releaseagents and/or lubricants include fatty acids, fatty acid salts, fattyalcohols, fatty esters, sulfonated fatty acid esters, fatty amineacetates, fatty amide, silicones, aminosilicones, fluoropolymers, andmixtures thereof. In one example, the release agents and/or lubricantsare applied to the filament, in other words, after the filament isformed. In one example, one or more release agents/lubricants areapplied to the filament prior to collecting the filaments on acollection device to form a nonwoven. In another example, one or morerelease agents/lubricants are applied to a nonwoven web formed from thefilaments of the present invention prior to contacting one or morenonwoven webs, such as in a stack of nonwoven webs. In yet anotherexample, one or more release agents/lubricants are applied to thefilament of the present invention and/or nonwoven comprising thefilament prior to the filament and/or nonwoven contacting a surface,such as a surface of equipment used in a processing system so as tofacilitate removal of the filament and/or nonwoven web and/or to avoidlayers of filaments and/or nonwoven webs of the present inventionsticking to one another, even inadvertently. In one example, the releaseagents/lubricants comprise particulates.

In even still yet another example, an additive comprises one or moreanti-blocking and/or detackifying agents. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable anti-blocking and/or detackifying agents include starches,starch derivatives, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinkedcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metallic oxides, calciumcarbonate, talc, mica, and mixtures thereof.

“Conditions of intended use” as used herein means the temperature,physical, chemical, and/or mechanical conditions that a filament of thepresent invention is exposed to when the filament is used for one ormore of its designed purposes. For example, if a filament and/or anonwoven web comprising a filament is designed to be used in a washingmachine for laundry care purposes, the conditions of intended use willinclude those temperature, chemical, physical and/or mechanicalconditions present in a washing machine, including any wash water,during a laundry washing operation. In another example, if a filamentand/or a nonwoven web comprising a filament is designed to be used by ahuman as a shampoo for hair care purposes, the conditions of intendeduse will include those temperature, chemical, physical and/or mechanicalconditions present during the shampooing of the human's hair. Likewise,if a filament and/or nonwoven web comprising a filament is designed tobe used in a dishwashing operation, by hand or by a dishwashing machine,the conditions of intended use will include the temperature, chemical,physical and/or mechanical conditions present in a dishwashing waterand/or dishwashing machine, during the dishwashing operation.

“Active agent” as used herein means an additive that produces anintended effect in an environment external to a filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament of the present, such as when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use of the filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament. In one example, an active agent comprisesan additive that treats a surface, such as a hard surface (i.e., kitchencountertops, bath tubs, toilets, toilet bowls, sinks, floors, walls,teeth, cars, windows, mirrors, dishes) and/or a soft surface (i.e.,fabric, hair, skin, carpet, crops, plants,). In another example, anactive agent comprises an additive that creates a chemical reaction(i.e., foaming, fizzing, coloring, warming, cooling, lathering,disinfecting and/or clarifying and/or chlorinating, such as inclarifying water and/or disinfecting water and/or chlorinating water).In yet another example, an active agent comprises an additive thattreats an environment (i.e., deodorizes, purifies, perfumes air). In oneexample, the active agent is formed in situ, such as during theformation of the filament containing the active agent, for example thefilament may comprise a water-soluble polymer (e.g., starch) and asurfactant (e.g., anionic surfactant), which may create a polymercomplex or coacervate that functions as the active agent used to treatfabric surfaces.

“Treats” as used herein with respect to treating a surface means thatthe active agent provides a benefit to a surface or environment. Treatsincludes regulating and/or immediately improving a surface's orenvironment's appearance, cleanliness, smell, purity and/or feel. In oneexample treating in reference to treating a keratinous tissue (forexample skin and/or hair) surface means regulating and/or immediatelyimproving the keratinous tissue's cosmetic appearance and/or feel. Forinstance, “regulating skin, hair, or nail (keratinous tissue) condition”includes: thickening of skin, hair, or nails (e.g, building theepidermis and/or dermis and/or sub-dermal [e.g., subcutaneous fat ormuscle] layers of the skin, and where applicable the keratinous layersof the nail and hair shaft) to reduce skin, hair, or nail atrophy,increasing the convolution of the dermal-epidermal border (also known asthe rete ridges), preventing loss of skin or hair elasticity (loss,damage and/or inactivation of functional skin elastin) such aselastosis, sagging, loss of skin or hair recoil from deformation;melanin or non-melanin change in coloration to the skin, hair, or nailssuch as under eye circles, blotching (e.g., uneven red coloration dueto, e.g., rosacea) (hereinafter referred to as “red blotchiness”),sallowness (pale color), discoloration caused by telangiectasia orspider vessels, and graying hair.

In another example, treating means removing stains and/or odors fromfabric articles, such as clothes, towels, linens, and/or hard surfaces,such as countertops and/or dishware including pots and pans.

“Personal care active agent,” as used herein, means an active agent thatmay be applied to mammalian keratinous tissue without undue undesirableeffects.

“Keratinous tissue,” as used herein, means keratin-containing layersdisposed as the outermost protective covering of mammals and includes,but is not limited to, skin, hair, scalp and nails.

“Beauty benefit,” as used herein in reference to mammalian keratinoustissue includes, but is not limited to cleansing, sebum inhibition,reducing the oily and/or shiny appearance of skin and/or hair, reducingdryness, itchiness and/or flakiness, reducing skin pore size,exfoliation, desquamation, improving the appearance of the keratinoustissue, conditioning, smoothening, deodorizing skin and/or providingantiperspirant benefits, etc.

“Beauty benefit active agent,” as used herein, refers to an active agentthat can deliver one or more beauty benefits.

“Skin care active agent” as used herein, means an active agent that whenapplied to the skin provides a benefit or improvement to the skin. It isto be understood that skin care active agents are useful not only forapplication to skin, but also to hair, scalp, nails and other mammaliankeratinous tissue.

“Hair care active agent” as used herein, means an active agent that whenapplied to mammalian hair provides a benefit and/or improvement to thehair. Non-limiting examples of benefits and/or improvements to hairinclude softness, static control, hair repair, dandruff removal,dandruff resistance, hair coloring, shape retention, hair retention, andhair growth.

“Fabric care active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatwhen applied to fabric provides a benefit and/or improvement to thefabric. Non-limiting examples of benefits and/or improvements to fabricinclude cleaning (for example by surfactants), stain removal, stainreduction, wrinkle removal, color restoration, static control, wrinkleresistance, permanent press, wear reduction, wear resistance, pillremoval, pill resistance, soil removal, soil resistance (including soilrelease), shape retention, shrinkage reduction, softness, fragrance,anti-bacterial, anti-viral, odor resistance, and odor removal.

“Dishwashing active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatwhen applied to dishware, glassware, pots, pans, utensils, and/orcooking sheets provides a benefit and/or improvement to the dishware,glassware, pots, pans and/or cooking sheets. Non-limiting example ofbenefits and/or improvements to the dishware, glassware, pots, pans,utensils, and/or cooking sheets include food and/or soil removal,cleaning (for example by surfactants) stain removal, stain reduction,grease removal, water spot removal and/or water spot prevention,shining, and polishing.

“Hard surface active agent” as used herein means an active agent whenapplied to floors, countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths,and/or toilets provides a benefit and/or improvement to the floors,countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths, and/or toilets.Non-limiting example of benefits and/or improvements to the floors,countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths, and/or toiletsinclude food and/or soil removal, grease removal, water spot removaland/or water spot prevention, shining, and polishing.

“Agricultural active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatwhen applied to crops and/or plants provides a benefit and/orimprovement to the crops and/or plants. For example, insecticides,herbicides, fertilizers, drought resistant agents, are non-limitingexamples of suitable agricultural active agents that may be present inthe filaments of the present invention.

“Ingestible active agent” as used herein means an active agent that issuitable for ingestion and/or consuming by an animal, for example amammal, such as a human, by way of mouth, nose, eyes, ears, skin pores,rectum, vagina, or other orifice or wound (such as delivering an activeagent by wound dressing) in the animal. Non-limiting examples ofingestible active agents include feminine hygiene active agents, babycare active agents, oral care active agents, medicinal active agents,vitamins, dietary active agents (for example delivered in a new foodform), pet care active agents, and mixtures thereof.

“Liquid treatment active agent” as used herein means an active agentthat when applied to a liquid such as water and/or alcohol, provides abenefit and/or improvement to the liquid. For example, chlorine and/orother swimming pool chemicals are non-limiting examples of suitableliquid treatment active agents. In another example, water clarifyingand/or water disinfecting active agents, such as are used in commercialwater filtering and/or water treatment technologies such as PUR® arenon-limiting examples of suitable liquid treatment active agents thatmay be present in the filaments of the present invention. Further, oildispersants and/or oil scavenging agents are non-limiting examples ofother suitable liquid treatment active agents.

“Industrial active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatprovides a benefit within an article of manufacture. For example, glueand/or adhesive to provide bonding between two object, insecticidesincorporated into insulation, such as housing insulation, oxygenscavenging active agents incorporated into packaging for food and/orperishable goods, insect repellants incorporated into articles used byhumans to repel insects, and moisture scavengers incorporated intodesiccants are non-limiting examples of industrial active agents thatmay be present in the filaments of the present invention.

“Weight ratio” as used herein means the weight of filament-formingmaterial (g or %) on a dry weight basis in the filament to the weight ofadditive, such as active agent(s) (g or %) on a dry weight basis in thefilament.

“Hydroxyl polymer” as used herein includes any hydroxyl-containingpolymer that can be incorporated into a filament of the presentinvention, for example as a filament-forming material. In one example,the hydroxyl polymer of the present invention includes greater than 10%and/or greater than 20% and/or greater than 25% by weight hydroxylmoieties.

“Biodegradable” as used herein means, with respect to a material, suchas a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, such as afilament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer is capableof undergoing and/or does undergo physical, chemical, thermal and/orbiological degradation in a municipal solid waste composting facilitysuch that at least 5% and/or at least 7% and/or at least 10% of theoriginal filament and/or polymer is converted into carbon dioxide after30 days as measured according to the OECD (1992) Guideline for theTesting of Chemicals 301B; Ready Biodegradability—CO₂ Evolution(Modified Sturm Test) Test incorporated herein by reference.

“Non-biodegradable” as used herein means, with respect to a material,such as a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, suchas a filament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer is notcapable of undergoing physical, chemical, thermal and/or biologicaldegradation in a municipal solid waste composting facility such that atleast 5% of the original filament and/or polymer is converted intocarbon dioxide after 30 days as measured according to the OECD (1992)Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals 301B; Ready Biodegradability—CO₂Evolution (Modified Sturm Test) Test incorporated herein by reference.

“Non-thermoplastic” as used herein means, with respect to a material,such as a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, suchas a filament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymerexhibits no melting point and/or softening point, which allows it toflow under pressure, in the absence of a plasticizer, such as water,glycerin, sorbitol, urea and the like.

“Non-thermoplastic, biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being biodegradable andnon-thermoplastic as defined above.

“Non-thermoplastic, non-biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being non-biodegradable andnon-thermoplastic as defined above.

“Thermoplastic” as used herein means, with respect to a material, suchas a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, such as afilament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer exhibits amelting point and/or softening point at a certain temperature, whichallows it to flow under pressure, in the absence of a plasticizer

“Thermoplastic, biodegradable filament” as used herein means a filamentthat exhibits the properties of being biodegradable and thermoplastic asdefined above.

“Thermoplastic, non-biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being non-biodegradable andthermoplastic as defined above.

“Non-cellulose-containing” as used herein means that less than 5% and/orless than 3% and/or less than 1% and/or less than 0.1% and/or 0% byweight of cellulose polymer, cellulose derivative polymer and/orcellulose copolymer is present in filament. In one example,“non-cellulose-containing” means that less than 5% and/or less than 3%and/or less than 1% and/or less than 0.1% and/or 0% by weight ofcellulose polymer is present in filament.

“Polar solvent-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in a polar solvent. In one example, a polar solvent-solublematerial is miscible in alcohol and/or water. In other words, a polarsolvent-soluble material is a material that is capable of forming astable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutes after formingthe homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with a polar solvent,such as alcohol and/or water at ambient conditions.

“Alcohol-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in alcohol. In other words, a material that is capable offorming a stable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutesafter forming the homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with analcohol at ambient conditions.

“Water-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in water. In other words, a material that is capable of forminga stable (does not separate for greater than 5 minutes after forming thehomogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with water at ambientconditions.

“Non-polar solvent-soluble material” as used herein means a materialthat is miscible in a non-polar solvent. In other words, a non-polarsolvent-soluble material is a material that is capable of forming astable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutes after formingthe homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with a non-polar solvent.

“Ambient conditions” as used herein means 73° F.±4° F. (about 23°C.±2.2° C.) and a relative humidity of 50%±10%.

“Weight average molecular weight” as used herein means the weightaverage molecular weight as determined using gel permeationchromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and SurfacesA. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121.

“Length” as used herein, with respect to a filament, means the lengthalong the longest axis of the filament from one terminus to the otherterminus. If a filament has a kink, curl or curves in it, then thelength is the length along the entire path of the filament.

“Diameter” as used herein, with respect to a filament, is measuredaccording to the Diameter Test Method described herein. In one example,a filament of the present invention exhibits a diameter of less than 100μm and/or less than 75 μm and/or less than 50 μm and/or less than 25 μmand/or less than 20 μm and/or less than 15 μm and/or less than 10 μmand/or less than 6 μm and/or greater than 1 μm and/or greater than 3 μm.

“Triggering condition” as used herein in one example means anything, asan act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitatesa change in the filament, such as a loss or altering of the filament'sphysical structure and/or a release of an additive, such as an activeagent. In another example, the triggering condition may be present in anenvironment, such as water, when a filament and/or nonwoven web and/orfilm of the present invention is added to the water. In other words,nothing changes in the water except for the fact that the filamentand/or nonwoven and/or film of the present invention is added to thewater.

“Morphology changes” as used herein with respect to a filament'smorphology changing means that the filament experiences a change in itsphysical structure. Non-limiting examples of morphology changes for afilament of the present invention include dissolution, melting,swelling, shrinking, breaking into pieces, exploding, lengthening,shortening, and combinations thereof. The filaments of the presentinvention may completely or substantially lose their filament physicalstructure or they may have their morphology changed or they may retainor substantially retain their filament physical structure as they areexposed to conditions of intended use.

“By weight on a dry filament basis” means that the weight of thefilament measured immediately after the filament has been conditioned ina conditioned room at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2°C.) and a relative humidity of 50%±10% for 2 hours. In one example, “byweight on a dry filament basis” means that the filament comprises lessthan 20% and/or less than 15% and/or less than 10% and/or less than 7%and/or less than 5% and/or less than 3% and/or to 0% and/or to greaterthan 0% based on the weight of the filament of moisture, such as water,for example free water, as measured according to the Water Content TestMethod described herein.

“Total level” as used herein, for example with respect to the totallevel of one or more active agents present in the filament, means thesum of the weights or weight percent of all of the subject materials,for example active agents. In other words, a filament may comprise 25%by weight on a dry filament basis of an anionic surfactant, 15% byweight on a dry filament basis of a nonionic surfactant, 10% by weightof a chelant, and 5% of a perfume so that the total level of activeagents present in the filament is greater than 50%; namely 55% by weighton a dry filament basis.

“Web” as used herein means a collection of formed fibers and/orfilaments, such as a fibrous structure, and/or a sheet formed of fibersand/or filaments, such as continuous filaments, of any nature or originassociated with one another. In one example, the web is a sheet that isformed via a spinning process, not a cast process.

“Nonwoven web” for purposes of the present invention as used herein andas defined generally by European Disposables and Nonwovens Association(EDANA) means a sheet of fibers and/or filaments, such as continuousfilaments, of any nature or origin, that have been formed into a web byany means, and may be bonded together by any means, with the exceptionof weaving or knitting. Felts obtained by wet milling are not nonwovenwebs. In one example, a nonwoven web according to the present inventionmeans an orderly arrangement of filaments within a structure in order toperform a function. In one example, a nonwoven web of the presentinvention is an arrangement comprising a plurality of two or more and/orthree or more filaments that are inter-entangled or otherwise associatedwith one another to form a nonwoven web. In one example, the nonwovenweb of the present invention may comprise, in addition to the filamentsof the present invention, one or more solid additives, such asparticulates and/or fibers.

“Particulates” as used herein means granular substances and/or powders.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, for example,“an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber” is understood to mean one or moreof the material that is claimed or described.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are inreference to the active level of that component or composition, and areexclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products,which may be present in commercially available sources.

Filament

A filament of the present invention comprises one or morefilament-forming materials. In addition to the filament-formingmaterials, the filament may further comprise one or more active agentsthat are releasable from the filament, such as when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use, wherein the total level of theone or more filament-forming materials present in the filament is lessthan 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and the total level of theone or more active agents present in the filament is greater than 20% byweight on a dry filament basis, is provided.

A filament formed from one or more filament-forming materials, with orwithout one or more additives (non-active agent additives), and thencoated or contacted with one or more active agents is not within thescope of the present invention. However, a filament formed from one ormore filament-forming materials and one or more active agents, forexample a mixture (i.e., a filament-forming composition of the presentinvention) of one or more filament-forming materials and one or moreactive agents, with or without one or more non-active agent additives,wherein the filament is then coated with one or more active agents iswithin the scope of the present invention.

In one example, the filament of the present invention comprises one ormore filament-forming materials and one or more active agents whereinthe total level of filament-forming materials present in the filament isfrom about 5% to less than 50% by weight on a dry filament basis and thetotal level of active agents present in the filament is greater than 50%to about 95% by weight on a dry filament basis.

In one example, the filament of the present invention comprises about100% and/or greater than 95% and/or greater than 90% and/or greater than85% and/or greater than 75% and/or greater than 50% by weight on a dryfilament basis of one or more filament-forming materials. For example,the filament-forming material may comprise polyvinyl alcohol and/orstarch or starch derivative.

In another example, the filament of the present invention comprises oneor more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents whereinthe total level of filament-forming materials present in the filament isfrom about 5% to less than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and thetotal level of active agents present in the filament is greater than 20%to about 95% by weight on a dry filament basis.

In one example, the filament of the present invention comprises at least10% and/or at least 15% and/or at least 20% and/or less than less than80% and/or less than 75% and/or less than 65% and/or less than 60%and/or less than 55% and/or less than 50% and/or less than 45% and/orless than 40% by weight on a dry filament basis of the filament-formingmaterials and greater than 20% and/or at least 35% and/or at least 40%and/or at least 45% and/or at least 50% and/or at least 60% and/or atleast 65% and/or less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/or less than 85%and/or less than 80% and/or less than 75% by weight on a dry filamentbasis of active agents. the filament of the present invention comprisesgreater than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis of active agents.

In another example, the one or more filament-forming materials andactive agents are present in the filament at a weight ratio of totallevel of filament-forming materials to active agents of 4.0 or lessand/or 3.5 or less and/or 3.0 or less and/or 2. 5 or less and/or 2.0 orless and/or 1.85 or less and/or less than 1.7 and/or less than 1.6and/or less than 1.5 and/or less than 1.3 and/or less than 1.2 and/orless than 1 and/or less than 0.7 and/or less than 0.5 and/or less than0.4 and/or less than 0.3 and/or greater than 0.1 and/or greater than0.15 and/or greater than 0.2.

In still another example, the filament of the present inventioncomprises from about 10% and/or from about 15% to less than 80% byweight on a dry filament basis of a filament-forming material, such aspolyvinyl alcohol polymer and/or a starch polymer, and greater than 20%to about 90% and/or to about 85% by weight on a dry filament basis of anactive agent. The filament may further comprise a plasticizer, such asglycerin and/or pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid.

In yet another example, the filament of the present invention comprisesfrom about 10% and/or from about 15% to less than 80% by weight on a dryfilament basis of a filament-forming material, such as polyvinyl alcoholpolymer and/or a starch polymer, and greater than 20% to about 90%and/or to about 85% by weight on a dry filament basis of an activeagent, wherein the weight ratio of filament-forming material to activeagent is 4.0 or less. The filament may further comprise a plasticizer,such as glycerin and/or pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid.

In still another example, the filament of the present inventioncomprises from about 5% to less than 50% by weight on a dry filamentbasis of a filament-forming material, such as polyvinyl alcohol polymerand/or a starch polymer, and greater than 50% to about 95% by weight ona dry filament basis of an additive, such as an active agent, forexample a surfactant, such as an anionic surfactant. The filament mayfurther comprise a plasticizer, such as glycerin and/or pH adjustingagents, such as citric acid.

In yet another example, the filament of the present invention comprisesfrom about 5% to less than 50% by weight on a dry filament basis of afilament-forming material, such as a polyvinyl alcohol polymer and/or astarch polymer, and greater than 50% to about 95% by weight on a dryfilament basis of an additive, such as an active agent, for example asurfactant, such as an anionic surfactant, wherein the weight ratio offilament-forming material to additive is less than 1. The filament mayfurther comprise a plasticizer, such as glycerin and/or pH adjustingagents, such as citric acid.

In still another example of the present invention, the filament of thepresent invention comprises 0% to less than 20% and/or 0% to less than15% and/or greater than 0% to less than 15% and/or greater than 0% toless than 12% and/or greater than 2% to less than 10% and/or greaterthan 4% to less than 8% by weight of water as measured according to theWater Content Test Method described herein. In one example, the filamentof the present invention comprises from about 5% to about 10% and/orfrom about 7% to about 10% by weight of water as measured according tothe Water Content Test Method described herein.

In even another example of the present invention, a filament comprisesone or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agentsselected from the group consisting of: enzymes, bleaching agents,builder, chelants, and mixtures thereof that are releasable and/orreleased when the filament is exposed to conditions of intended use. Inone example, the filament comprises a total level of filament formingmaterials of less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/or less than 80%and/or less than 50% and/or less than 35% and/or to about 5% and/or toabout 10% and/or to about 20% by weight on a dry filament basis and atotal level of active agents selected from the group consisting of:enzymes, bleaching agents, builder, chelants, and mixtures thereof ofgreater than 5% and/or greater than 10% and/or greater than 20% and/orgreater than 35% and/or greater than 50% and/or greater than 65% and/orto about 95% and/or to about 90% and/or to about 80% by weight on a dryfilament basis. In one example, the active agent comprises one or moreenzymes. In another example, the active agent comprises one or morebleaching agents. In yet another example, the active agent comprises oneor more builders. In still another example, the active agent comprisesone or more chelants.

In yet another example of the present invention, the filaments of thepresent invention may comprise active agents that may create healthand/or safety concerns if they become airborne. For example, thefilament may be used to inhibit enzymes within the filament frombecoming airborne.

In one example, the filaments of the present invention may be meltblownfilaments. In another example, the filaments of the present inventionmay be spunbond filaments. In another example, the filaments may behollow filaments prior to and/or after release of one or more of itsactive agents.

The filaments of the present invention may be hydrophilic orhydrophobic. The filaments may be surface treated and/or internallytreated to change the inherent hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties ofthe filament.

In one example, the filament exhibits a diameter of less than 100 μmand/or less than 75 μm and/or less than 50 μm and/or less than 25 μmand/or less than 10 μm and/or less than 5 μm and/or less than 1 μm asmeasured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein. Inanother example, the filament of the present invention exhibits adiameter of greater than 1 μm as measured according to the Diameter TestMethod described herein. The diameter of a filament of the presentinvention may be used to control the rate of release of one or moreactive agents present in the filament and/or the rate of loss and/oraltering of the filament's physical structure.

The filament may comprise two or more different active agents. In oneexample, the filament comprises two or more different active agents,wherein the two or more different active agents are compatible with oneanother. In another example, the filament comprises two or moredifferent active agents, wherein the two or more different active agentsare incompatible with one another.

In one example, the filament may comprise an active agent within thefilament and an active agent on an external surface of the filament,such as coating on the filament. The active agent on the externalsurface of the filament may be the same or different from the activeagent present in the filament. If different, the active agents may becompatible or incompatible with one another.

In one example, a filament of the present invention is preservativefree, which means for purposes of the present invention that it containsless than 2% and/or less than 1% and/or less than 0.5% and/or less than0.25% and/or 0% by weight on a dry filament basis of a preservative.

In one example, one or more active agents may be uniformly distributedor substantially uniformly distributed throughout the filament. Inanother example, one or more active agents may be distributed asdiscrete regions within the filament. In still another example, at leastone active agent is distributed uniformly or substantially uniformlythroughout the filament and at least another active agent is distributedas one or more discrete regions within the filament. In still yetanother example, at least one active agent is distributed as one or morediscrete regions within the filament and at least another active agentis distributed as one or more discrete regions different from the firstdiscrete regions within the filament.

The filaments may be used as discrete articles. In one example, thefilaments may be applied to and/or deposited on a carrier substrate, forexample a wipe, paper towel, bath tissue, facial tissue, sanitarynapkin, tampon, diaper, adult incontinence article, washcloth, dryersheet, laundry sheet, laundry bar, dry cleaning sheet, netting, filterpaper, fabrics, clothes, undergarments, and the like.

In addition, a plurality of the filaments of the present invention maybe collected and pressed into a film thus resulting in the filmcomprising the one or more filament-forming materials and the one ormore active agents that are releasable from the film, such as when thefilm is exposed to conditions of intended use.

In one example, a film of the present invention exhibits an averagedisintegration time per g of sample of less than 120 and/or less than100 and/or less than 80 and/or less than 55 and/or less than 50 and/orless than 40 and/or less than 30 and/or less than 20 seconds/gram (s/g)as measured according to the Dissolution Test Method described herein.

In another example, a film of the present invention exhibits an averagedissolution time per g of sample of less than 950 and/or less than 900and/or less than 800 and/or less than 700 and/or less than 600 and/orless than 550 seconds/gram (s/g) as measured according to theDissolution Test Method described herein.

In one example, a film of the present invention exhibits a thickness ofgreater than 0.01 mm and/or greater than 0.05 mm and/or greater than 0.1mm and/or to about 20 mm and/or to about 10 mm and/or to about 5 mmand/or to about 2 mm and/or to about 0.5 mm and/or to about 0.3 mm asmeasured by the Thickness Test Method described herein.

Filament-Forming Material

The filament-forming material is any suitable material, such as apolymer or monomers capable of producing a polymer that exhibitsproperties suitable for making a filament, such as by a spinningprocess.

In one example, the filament-forming material may comprise a polarsolvent-soluble material, such as an alcohol-soluble material and/or awater-soluble material.

In another example, the filament-forming material may comprise anon-polar solvent-soluble material.

In still another example, the filament forming material may comprise apolar solvent-soluble material and be free (less than 5% and/or lessthan 3% and/or less than 1% and/or 0% by weight on a dry filament basis)of non-polar solvent-soluble materials.

In yet another example, the filament-forming material may be afilm-forming material. In still yet another example, thefilament-forming material may be synthetic or of natural origin and itmay be chemically, enzymatically, and/or physically modified.

In even another example of the present invention, the filament-formingmaterial may comprise a polymer selected from the group consisting of:polymers derived from acrylic monomers such as the ethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic monomers and ethylenically unsaturated monomers,polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, copolymers ofacrylic acid and methyl acrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyalkyleneoxides, starch and starch derivatives, pullulan, gelatin,hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses, methycelluloses, andcarboxymethycelluloses.

In still another example, the filament-forming material may comprises apolymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, starch, starch derivatives, cellulosederivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, sodiumalginate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

In another example, the filament-forming material comprises a polymer isselected from the group consisting of: pullulan, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum,tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, Arabic gum, polyacrylic acid,methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, dextrin, pectin,chitin, levan, elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein,casein, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives, hemicellulose,hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, hydroxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Polar Solvent-Soluble Materials

Non-limiting examples of polar solvent-soluble materials include polarsolvent-soluble polymers. The polar solvent-soluble polymers may besynthetic or natural original and may be chemically and/or physicallymodified. In one example, the polar solvent-soluble polymers exhibit aweight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mol and/or at least20,000 g/mol and/or at least 40,000 g/mol and/or at least 80,000 g/moland/or at least 100,000 g/mol and/or at least 1,000,000 g/mol and/or atleast 3,000,000 g/mol and/or at least 10,000,000 g/mol and/or at least20,000,000 g/mol and/or to about 40,000,000 g/mol and/or to about30,000,000 g/mol. In one example, the polar solvent-soluble polymers areselected from the group consisting of: alcohol-soluble polymers,water-soluble polymers and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples ofwater-soluble polymers include water-soluble hydroxyl polymers,water-soluble thermoplastic polymers, water-soluble biodegradablepolymers, water-soluble non-biodegradable polymers and mixtures thereof.In one example, the water-soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol.In another example, the water-soluble polymer comprises starch. In yetanother example, the water-soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcoholand starch.

a. Water-Soluble Hydroxyl Polymers—

Non-limiting examples of water-soluble hydroxyl polymers in accordancewith the present invention include polyols, such as polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, starch,starch derivatives, starch copolymers, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,chitosan copolymers, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ether andester derivatives, cellulose copolymers, hemicellulose, hemicellulosederivatives, hemicellulose copolymers, gums, arabinans, galactans,proteins and various other polysaccharides and mixtures thereof.

In one example, a water-soluble hydroxyl polymer of the presentinvention comprises a polysaccharide.

“Polysaccharides” as used herein means natural polysaccharides andpolysaccharide derivatives and/or modified polysaccharides. Suitablewater-soluble polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, starches,starch derivatives, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, cellulosederivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, gums, arabinans,galactans and mixtures thereof. The water-soluble polysaccharide mayexhibit a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about40,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 100,000 g/mol and/or greater than1,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 3,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than3,000,000 to about 40,000,000 g/mol.

The water-soluble polysaccharides may comprise non-cellulose and/ornon-cellulose derivative and/or non-cellulose copolymer water-solublepolysaccharides. Such non-cellulose water-soluble polysaccharides may beselected from the group consisting of: starches, starch derivatives,chitosan, chitosan derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulosederivatives, gums, arabinans, galactans and mixtures thereof.

In another example, a water-soluble hydroxyl polymer of the presentinvention comprises a non-thermoplastic polymer.

The water-soluble hydroxyl polymer may have a weight average molecularweight of from about 10,000 g/mol to about 40,000,000 g/mol and/orgreater than 100,000 g/mol and/or greater than 1,000,000 g/mol and/orgreater than 3,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 3,000,000 g/mol toabout 40,000,000 g/mol. Higher and lower molecular weight water-solublehydroxyl polymers may be used in combination with hydroxyl polymershaving a certain desired weight average molecular weight.

Well known modifications of water-soluble hydroxyl polymers, such asnatural starches, include chemical modifications and/or enzymaticmodifications. For example, natural starch can be acid-thinned,hydroxy-ethylated, hydroxy-propylated, and/or oxidized. In addition, thewater-soluble hydroxyl polymer may comprise dent corn starch.

Naturally occurring starch is generally a mixture of linear amylose andbranched amylopectin polymer of D-glucose units. The amylose is asubstantially linear polymer of D-glucose units joined by (1,4)-α-Dlinks. The amylopectin is a highly branched polymer of D-glucose unitsjoined by (1,4)-α-D links and (1,6)-α-D links at the branch points.Naturally occurring starch typically contains relatively high levels ofamylopectin, for example, corn starch (64-80% amylopectin), waxy maize(93-100% amylopectin), rice (83-84% amylopectin), potato (about 78%amylopectin), and wheat (73-83% amylopectin). Though all starches arepotentially useful herein, the present invention is most commonlypracticed with high amylopectin natural starches derived fromagricultural sources, which offer the advantages of being abundant insupply, easily replenishable and inexpensive.

As used herein, “starch” includes any naturally occurring unmodifiedstarches, modified starches, synthetic starches and mixtures thereof, aswell as mixtures of the amylose or amylopectin fractions; the starch maybe modified by physical, chemical, or biological processes, orcombinations thereof. The choice of unmodified or modified starch forthe present invention may depend on the end product desired. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the starch or starch mixture usefulin the present invention has an amylopectin content from about 20% toabout 100%, more typically from about 40% to about 90%, even moretypically from about 60% to about 85% by weight of the starch ormixtures thereof.

Suitable naturally occurring starches can include, but are not limitedto, corn starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, wheat starch, sagopalm starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, soybean starch, arrow rootstarch, amioca starch, bracken starch, lotus starch, waxy maize starch,and high amylose corn starch. Naturally occurring starches particularly,corn starch and wheat starch, are the preferred starch polymers due totheir economy and availability.

Polyvinyl alcohols herein can be grafted with other monomers to modifyits properties. A wide range of monomers has been successfully graftedto polyvinyl alcohol. Non-limiting examples of such monomers includevinyl acetate, styrene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, methyl methacrylate,methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, sodium vinylsulfonate,sodium allylsulfonate, sodium methylallyl sulfonate, sodiumphenylallylether sulfonate, sodium phenylmethallylether sulfonate,2-acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPs), vinylidene chloride,vinyl chloride, vinyl amine and a variety of acrylate esters.

In one example, the water-soluble hydroxyl polymer is selected from thegroup consisting of: polyvinyl alcohols, hydroxymethylcelluloses,hydroxyethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses and mixturesthereof. A non-limiting example of a suitable polyvinyl alcohol includesthose commercially available from Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America,LLC (Dallas, Tex.) under the CELVOL® trade name. A non-limiting exampleof a suitable hydroxypropylmethylcellulose includes those commerciallyavailable from the Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) under theMETHOCEL® trade name including combinations with above mentionedhydroxypropylmethylcelluloses.

b. Water-Soluble Thermoplastic Polymers—

Non-limiting examples of suitable water-soluble thermoplastic polymersinclude thermoplastic starch and/or starch derivatives, polylactic acid,polyhydroxyalkanoate, polycaprolactone, polyesteramides and certainpolyesters, and mixtures thereof.

The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers of the present invention may behydrophilic or hydrophobic. The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers maybe surface treated and/or internally treated to change the inherenthydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the thermoplastic polymer.

The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers may comprise biodegradablepolymers.

Any suitable weight average molecular weight for the thermoplasticpolymers may be used. For example, the weight average molecular weightfor a thermoplastic polymer in accordance with the present invention isgreater than about 10,000 g/mol and/or greater than about 40,000 g/moland/or greater than about 50,000 g/mol and/or less than about 500,000g/mol and/or less than about 400,000 g/mol and/or less than about200,000 g/mol.

Non-Polar Solvent-Soluble Materials

Non-limiting examples of non-polar solvent-soluble materials includenon-polar solvent-soluble polymers. Non-limiting examples of suitablenon-polar solvent-soluble materials include cellulose, chitin, chitinderivatives, polyolefins, polyesters, copolymers thereof, and mixturesthereof. Non-limiting examples of polyolefins include polypropylene,polyethylene and mixtures thereof. A non-limiting example of a polyesterincludes polyethylene terephthalate.

The non-polar solvent-soluble materials may comprise a non-biodegradablepolymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene and certain polyesters.

Any suitable weight average molecular weight for the thermoplasticpolymers may be used. For example, the weight average molecular weightfor a thermoplastic polymer in accordance with the present invention isgreater than about 10,000 g/mol and/or greater than about 40,000 g/moland/or greater than about 50,000 g/mol and/or less than about 500,000g/mol and/or less than about 400,000 g/mol and/or less than about200,000 g/mol.

Active Agents

Active agents are a class of additives that are designed and intended toprovide a benefit to something other than the filament itself, such asproviding a benefit to an environment external to the filament. Activeagents may be any suitable additive that produces an intended effectunder intended use conditions of the filament. For example, the activeagent may be selected from the group consisting of: personal cleansingand/or conditioning agents such as hair care agents such as shampooagents and/or hair colorant agents, hair conditioning agents, skin careagents, sunscreen agents, and skin conditioning agents; laundry careand/or conditioning agents such as fabric care agents, fabricconditioning agents, fabric softening agents, fabric anti-wrinklingagents, fabric care anti-static agents, fabric care stain removalagents, soil release agents, dispersing agents, suds suppressing agents,suds boosting agents, anti-foam agents, and fabric refreshing agents;hard surface care agents, and/or conditioning agents such as liquidand/or powder dishwashing agents (for hand dishwashing and/or automaticdishwashing machine applications), and polishing agents; other cleaningand/or conditioning agents such as antimicrobial agents, perfume,bleaching agents (such as oxygen bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide,percarbonate bleaching agents, perborate bleaching agents, chlorinebleaching agents), bleach activating agents, chelating agents, builders,lotions, brightening agents, air care agents, carpet care agents, dyetransfer-inhibiting agents, water-softening agents, water-hardeningagents, pH adjusting agents, enzymes, flocculating agents, effervescentagents, preservatives, cosmetic agents, make-up removal agents,lathering agents, deposition aid agents, coacervate-forming agents,clays, thickening agents, latexes, silicas, drying agents, odor controlagents, antiperspirant agents, cooling agents, warming agents, absorbentgel agents, anti-inflammatory agents, dyes, pigments, acids, and bases;liquid treatment active agents; agricultural active agents; industrialactive agents; ingestible active agents such as medicinal agents, teethwhitening agents, tooth care agents, mouthwash agents, periodontal gumcare agents, edible agents, dietary agents, vitamins, minerals;water-treatment agents such as water clarifying and/or waterdisinfecting agents, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of suitable cosmetic agents, skin care agents,skin conditioning agents, hair care agents, and hair conditioning agentsare described in CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, TheCosmetic, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1988, 1992.

One or more classes of chemicals may be useful for one or more of theactive agents listed above. For example, surfactants may be used for anynumber of the active agents described above. Likewise, bleaching agentsmay be used for fabric care, hard surface cleaning, dishwashing and eventeeth whitening. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the active agents will be selected based upon thedesired intended use of the filament and/or nonwoven made therefrom.

For example, if the filament of the present invention and/or nonwovenmade therefrom is to be used for hair care and/or conditioning then oneor more suitable surfactants, such as a lathering surfactant could beselected to provide the desired benefit to a consumer when exposed toconditions of intended use of the filament and/or nonwoven incorporatingthe filament.

In one example, if the filament of the present invention and/or nonwovenmade therefrom is designed or intended to be used for laundering clothesin a laundry operation, then one or more suitable surfactants and/orenzymes and/or builders and/or perfumes and/or suds suppressors and/orbleaching agents could be selected to provide the desired benefit to aconsumer when exposed to conditions of intended use of the filamentand/or nonwoven incorporating the filament. In another example, if thefilament of the present invention and/or nonwoven made therefrom isdesigned to be used for laundering clothes in a laundry operation and/orcleaning dishes in a dishwashing operation, then the filament maycomprise a laundry detergent composition or dishwashing detergentcomposition.

In one example, the active agent comprises a non-perfume active agent.In another example, the active agent comprises a non-surfactant activeagent. In still another example, the active agent comprises anon-ingestible active agent, in other words an active agent other thanan ingestible active agent.

Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable surfactants include anionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionicsurfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.Co-surfactants may also be included in the filaments. For filamentsdesigned for use as laundry detergents and/or dishwashing detergents,the total level of surfactants should be sufficient to provide cleaningincluding stain and/or odor removal, and generally ranges from about0.5% to about 95%. Further, surfactant systems comprising two or moresurfactants that are designed for use in filaments for laundrydetergents and/or dishwashing detergents may include all-anionicsurfactant systems, mixed-type surfactant systems comprisinganionic-nonionic surfactant mixtures, or nonionic-cationic surfactantmixtures.

The surfactants herein can be linear or branched. In one example,suitable linear surfactants include those derived from agrochemical oilssuch as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, soybean oil, or othervegetable-based oils.

a. Anionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable anionic surfactants include alkylsulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, branched alkyl sulfates, branched alkylalkoxylates, branched alkyl alkoxylate sulfates, mid-chain branchedalkyl aryl sulfonates, sulfated monoglycerides, sulfonated olefins,alkyl aryl sulfonates, primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, acyl taurates, acyl isethionates, alkyl glycerylethersulfonate, sulfonated methyl esters, sulfonated fatty acids, alkylphosphates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl sulfoacetates,acylated peptides, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl lactylates, anionicfluorosurfactants, sodium lauroyl glutamate, and combinations thereof.

Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates suitable for use herein includematerials with the respective formula ROSO₃M and RO(C₂H₄O)_(x)SO₃M,wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms,x is 1 to 10, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium,potassium and triethanolamine Other suitable anionic surfactants aredescribed in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, North AmericanEdition (1986), Allured Publishing Corp. and McCutcheon's, FunctionalMaterials, North American Edition (1992), Allured Publishing Corp.

In one example, anionic surfactants useful in the filaments of thepresent invention include C₉-C₁₅ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), C₈-C₂₀alkyl ether sulfates, for example alkyl poly(ethoxy) sulfates, C₈-C₂₀alkyl sulfates, and mixtures thereof. Other anionic surfactants includemethyl ester sulfonates (MES), secondary alkane sulfonates, methyl esterethoxylates (MEE), sulfonated estolides, and mixtures thereof.

In another example, the anionic surfactant is selected from the groupconsisting of: C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates (“LAS”) and primary,branched-chain and random C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl sulfates (“AS”), C₁₀-C₁₈secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH₃(CH₂)_(x)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺)CH₃ and CH₃ (CH₂)_(y)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺) CH₂CH₃ where x and (y+1) are integersof at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is awater-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates suchas oleyl sulfate, the C₁₀-C₁₈ alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters, theC₁₀-C₁₈ sulfated alkyl polyglycosides, the C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates(“AE_(x)S”) wherein x is from 1-30, and C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxycarboxylates, for example comprising 1-5 ethoxy units, mid-chainbranched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,181 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303;modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO99/05242 and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefinsulfonate (AOS).

Other suitable anionic surfactants that may be used are alkyl estersulfonate surfactants including sulfonated linear esters of C₈-C₂₀carboxylic acids (i.e., fatty acids). Other suitable anionic surfactantsthat may be used include salts of soap, C₈-C₂₂ primary of secondaryalkanesulfonates, C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylicacids, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles ofethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerolsulfonates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxideether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates suchas the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates andsulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (for example saturatedand unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) and diesters of sulfosuccinates (forexample saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₂ diesters), sulfates ofalkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside, andalkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formulaRO(CH₂CH₂O)_(k)—CH₂COO-M+ wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integerfrom 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation.

Other exemplary anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts ofC₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, preferably C₁₁-C₁₄ alkyl benzenesulfonic acids. In one example, the alkyl group is linear. Such linearalkyl benzene sulfonates are known as “LAS”. Such surfactants and theirpreparation are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and2,477,383. IN another example, the linear alkyl benzene sulfonatesinclude the sodium and/or potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkylgroup is from about 11 to 14. Sodium C₁₁-C₁₄ LAS, e.g., C₁₂ LAS, is aspecific example of such surfactants.

Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant comprises linear orbranched ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants. Such materials, alsoknown as alkyl ether sulfates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, arethose which correspond to the formula: R′—O—(C₂H₄O)_(n)—SO₃M wherein R′is a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, n is from about 1 to 20, and M is asalt-forming cation. In a specific embodiment, R′ is C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl, n isfrom about 1 to 15, and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium,or alkanolammonium. In more specific embodiments, R′ is a C₁₂-C₁₆, n isfrom about 1 to 6 and M is sodium. The alkyl ether sulfates willgenerally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying R′ chainlengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtureswill inevitably also contain some non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfatematerials, i.e., surfactants of the above ethoxylated alkyl sulfateformula wherein n=0. Non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates may also be addedseparately to the compositions of this invention and used as or in anyanionic surfactant component which may be present. Specific examples ofnon-alkoyxylated, e.g., non-ethoxylated, alkyl ether sulfate surfactantsare those produced by the sulfation of higher C₈-C₂₀ fatty alcohols.Conventional primary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula:R″OSO₃ ⁻M+ wherein R″ is typically a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, which may bestraight chain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation.In specific embodiments, R″ is a C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl group, and M is alkalimetal, more specifically R″ is C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl and M is sodium. Specific,non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: a)C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); b) C₁₀-C₂₀ primary,branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); c) C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary(2,3)-alkyl sulfates having following formulae:

wherein M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality, andall M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunct ingredient,can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon the formisolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system wherein thecompound is used, with non-limiting examples of suitable cationsincluding sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is aninteger of at least 7 and/or at least about 9, and y is an integer of atleast 8 and/or at least 9; d) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES)wherein z, for example, is from 1-30; e) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxycarboxylates preferably comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; f) mid-chainbranched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,303 and6,060,443; g) mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,181 and 6,020,303; h) modified alkylbenzenesulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244,WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO00/23548.; i) methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and j) alpha-olefinsulfonate (AOS).

b. Cationic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants include, but arenot limited to, those having the formula (I):

in which R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently selected from (a) analiphatic group of from 1 to 26 carbon atoms, or (b) an aromatic,alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylarylgroup having up to 22 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion suchas those selected from halogen, (e.g. chloride, bromide), acetate,citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulphate, andalkylsulphate radicals. In one example, the alkylsulphate radical ismethosulfate and/or ethosulfate.

Suitable quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants of general formula (I)may include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride (BTAC), stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetylpyridiniumchloride, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride,hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, octyldimethylbenzylammoniumchloride, decyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride,stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, di do decyldimethylammoniumchloride, didecyldimehtylammonium chloride, dioctadecyldimethylammoniumchloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, tallowtrimethylammoniumchloride, cocotrimethylammonium chloride,2-ethylhexylstearyldimethylammonum chloride,dipalmitoylethyldimethylammonium chloride, PEG-2 oleylammonium chlorideand salts of these, where the chloride is replaced by halogen, (e.g.,bromide), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate nitrate,sulphate, or alkylsulphate.

Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants are commerciallyavailable under the trade names ARQUAD® from Akzo Nobel Surfactants(Chicago, Ill.).

In one example, suitable cationic surfactants include quaternaryammonium surfactants, for example that have up to 26 carbon atomsinclude: alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; dimethyl hydroxyethyl laurylammonium chloride; polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006;cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,042,4,239,660 4,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,844; and amino surfactantsas discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,825 and WO 00/47708, for exampleamido propyldimethyl amine (APA).

Other suitable cationic surfactants include salts of primary, secondary,and tertiary fatty amines. In one embodiment, the alkyl groups of suchamines have from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, and can besubstituted or unsubstituted. These amines are typically used incombination with an acid to provide the cationic species.

The cationic surfactant may include cationic ester surfactants havingthe formula:

wherein R₁ is a C₅-C₃₁ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkarylchain or M⁻.N⁺(R₆R₇R₈)(CH₂)_(s); X and Y, independently, are selectedfrom the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONHand NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH orNHCOO group; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl andalkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R₅ is independentlyH or a C₁-C₃ alkyl group; wherein the values of m, n, s and tindependently lie in the range of from 0 to 8, the value of b lies inthe range from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v independently areeither 0 or 1 with the proviso that at least one of u or v must be 1;and wherein M is a counter anion. In one example, R₂, R₃ and R₄ areindependently selected from CH₃ and —CH₂CH₂OH. In another example, M isselected from the group consisting of halide, methyl sulfate, sulfate,nitrate, chloride, bromide, or iodide.

The cationic surfactants of the present invention may be chosen for usein personal cleansing applications. In one example, such cationicsurfactants may be included in the filament and/or fiber at a totallevel by weight of from about 0.1% to about 10% and/or from about 0.5%to about 8% and/or from about 1% to about 5% and/or from about 1.4% toabout 4%, in view of balance among ease-to-rinse feel, rheology and wetconditioning benefits. A variety of cationic surfactants including mono-and di-alkyl chain cationic surfactants can be used in the compositionsof the present invention. In one example, the cationic surfactantsinclude mono-alkyl chain cationic surfactants in view of providingdesired gel matrix and wet conditioning benefits. The mono-alkylcationic surfactants are those having one long alkyl chain which hasfrom 12 to 22 carbon atoms and/or from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and/or from18 to 22 carbon atoms in its alkyl group, in view of providing balancedwet conditioning benefits. The remaining groups attached to nitrogen areindependently selected from an alkyl group of from 1 to about 4 carbonatoms or an alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl oralkylaryl group having up to about 4 carbon atoms. Such mono-alkylcationic surfactants include, for example, mono-alkyl quaternaryammonium salts and mono-alkyl amines Mono-alkyl quaternary ammoniumsalts include, for example, those having a non-functionalized long alkylchain. Mono-alkyl amines include, for example, mono-alkyl amidoaminesand salts thereof. Other cationic surfactants such as di-alkyl chaincationic surfactants may also be used alone, or in combination with themono-alkyl chain cationic surfactants. Such di-alkyl chain cationicsurfactants include, for example, dialkyl (14-18) dimethyl ammoniumchloride, ditallow alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dihydrogenatedtallow alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, distearyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, and dicetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

In one example the cationic ester surfactants are hydrolyzable under theconditions of a laundry wash.

c. Nonionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants includealkoxylated alcohols (AE's) and alkyl phenols, polyhydroxy fatty acidamides (PFAA's), alkyl polyglycosides (APG's), C₁₀-C₁₈ glycerol ethers,and the like.

In one example, non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants useful inthe present invention include: C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylates, such as,NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell; C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol alkoxylateswherein the alkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy andpropyleneoxy units; C₁₂-C₁₈ alcohol and C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol condensateswith ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block alkyl polyamine ethoxylatessuch as PLURONIC® from BASF; C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branched alcohols, BA, asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,322; C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branched alkylalkoxylates, BAE_(x), wherein x is from 1-30, as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,153,577, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,856;alkylpolysaccharides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 Llenado,issued Jan. 26, 1986; specifically alkylpolyglycosides as discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,483,780 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,779; polyhydroxydetergent acid amides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,528; and ethercapped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,482,994 and WO 01/42408.

Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants suitable for thepresent invention include: Tergitol® 15-S-9 (the condensation product ofC₁₁-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide) and Tergitol® 24-L-6NMW (the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohol with 6 molesethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), bothmarketed by Dow Chemical Company; Neodol® 45-9 (the condensation productof C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol® 23-3(the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₃ linear alcohol with 3 moles ofethylene oxide), Neodol® 45-7 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide) and Neodol® 45-5 (thecondensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 5 moles of ethyleneoxide) marketed by Shell Chemical Company; Kyro® EOB (the condensationproduct of C₁₃-C₁₅ alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), marketed by TheProcter & Gamble Company; and Genapol LA 030 or 050 (the condensationproduct of C₁₂-C₁₄ alcohol with 3 or 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketedby Hoechst. The nonionic surfactants may exhibit an HLB range of fromabout 8 to about 17 and/or from about 8 to about 14. Condensates withpropylene oxide and/or butylene oxides may also be used.

Non-limiting examples of semi-polar nonionic surfactants useful in thepresent invention include: water-soluble amine oxides containing onealkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moietiesselected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkylmoieties containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-solublephosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting ofalkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties containing from about 1 toabout 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkylmoiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selectedfrom the group consisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties offrom about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. See WO 01/32816, U.S. Pat. No.4,681,704, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,779.

Another class of nonionic surfactants that may be used in the presentinvention includes polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants of thefollowing formula:

wherein R¹ is H, or C₁₋₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propylor a mixture thereof, R₂ is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Z is apolyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivativethereof. In one example, R¹ is methyl, R₂ is a straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl orC₁₅₋₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof,and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose,maltose, lactose, in a reductive amination reaction. Typical examplesinclude the C₁₂-C₁₈ and C₁₂-C₁₄ N-methylglucamides.

Alkylpolyaccharide surfactants may also be used as a nonionic surfactantin the present invention.

Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkylphenols are also suitable for use as a nonionic surfactant in thepresent invention. These compounds include the condensation products ofalkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14carbon atoms, in either a straight-chain or branched-chain configurationwith the alkylene oxide. Commercially available nonionic surfactants ofthis type include Igepal® CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; andTriton X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102, all marketed by the Dow ChemicalCompany.

Examples of other suitable nonionic surfactants are thecommercially-available Pluronic® surfactants, marketed by BASF, thecommercially available Tetronic® compounds, marketed by BASF.

d. Zwitterionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of zwitterionic or ampholytic surfactants include:derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives ofheterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternaryammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. SeeU.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 at column 19, line 38 through column 22, line48, for examples of zwitterionic surfactants; betaines, including alkyldimethyl betaine and cocodimethyl amidopropyl betaine, C₈ to C₁₈ (forexample from C₁₂ to C₁₈) amine oxides and sulfo and hydroxy betaines,such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammino-1-propane sulfonate where the alkylgroup can be C₈ to C₁₈ and in certain embodiments from C₁₀ to C₁₄.

e. Amphoteric Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include: aliphaticderivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives ofheterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphaticradical can be straight- or branched-chain and mixtures thereof. One ofthe aliphatic substituents may contain at least about 8 carbon atoms,for example from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least onecontains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g. carboxy, sulfonate,sulfate. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 at column 19, lines 18-35, forsuitable examples of amphoteric surfactants.

f. Co-Surfactants

In addition to the surfactants described above, the filaments may alsocontain co-surfactants. In the case of laundry detergents and/ordishwashing detergents, they typically contain a mixture of surfactanttypes in order to obtain broad-scale cleaning performance over a varietyof soils and stains and under a variety of usage conditions. A widerange of these co-surfactants can be used in the filaments of thepresent invention. A typical listing of anionic, nonionic, ampholyticand zwitterionic classes, and species of these co-surfactants, is givenherein above, and may also be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,961. In otherwords, the surfactant systems herein may also include one or moreco-surfactants selected from nonionic, cationic, anionic, zwitterionicor mixtures thereof. The selection of co-surfactant may be dependentupon the desired benefit. The surfactant system may comprise from 0% toabout 10%, or from about 0.1% to about 5%, or from about 1% to about 4%by weight of the composition of other co-surfactant(s).

g. Amine-Neutralized Anionic Surfactants

The anionic surfactants and/or anionic co-surfactants of the presentinvention may exist in an acid form, which may be neutralized to form asurfactant salt. In one example, the filaments may comprise a surfactantsalt form. Typical agents for neutralization include a metal counterionbase such as hydroxides, eg, NaOH or KOH. Other agents for neutralizingthe anionic surfactants and anionic co-surfactants in their acid formsinclude ammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. In one example, theneutralizing agent comprises an alkanolamine, for example analkanolamine selected from the group consisting of: monoethanolamine,diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branchedalkanolamines known in the art; for example, 2-amino-1-propanol,1-aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol. Amineneutralization may be done to a full or partial extent, e.g. part of theanionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium andpart of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with amines oralkanolamines

Perfumes

One or more perfume and/or perfume raw materials such as accords and/ornotes may be incorporated into one or more of the filaments of thepresent invention. The perfume may comprise a perfume ingredientselected from the group consisting of: aldehyde perfume ingredients,ketone perfume ingredients, and mixtures thereof.

One or more perfumes and/or perfumery ingredients may be included in thefilaments of the present invention. A wide variety of natural andsynthetic chemical ingredients useful as perfumes and/or perfumeryingredients include but not limited to aldehydes, ketones, esters, andmixtures thereof. Also included are various natural extracts andessences which can comprise complex mixtures of ingredients, such asorange oil, lemon oil, rose extract, lavender, musk, patchouli, balsamicessence, sandalwood oil, pine oil, cedar, and the like. Finishedperfumes can comprise extremely complex mixtures of such ingredients. Inone example, a finished perfume typically comprises from about 0.01% toabout 2%, by weight on a dry filament basis.

Perfume Delivery Systems

Certain perfume delivery systems, methods of making certain perfumedelivery systems and the uses of such perfume delivery systems aredisclosed in USPA 2007/0275866 A1. Non-limiting examples of perfumedelivery systems include the following:

I. Polymer Assisted Delivery (PAD):

This perfume delivery technology uses polymeric materials to deliverperfume materials. Classical coacervation, water soluble or partlysoluble to insoluble charged or neutral polymers, liquid crystals, hotmelts, hydrogels, perfumed plastics, microcapsules, nano- andmicro-latexes, polymeric film formers, and polymeric absorbents,polymeric adsorbents, etc. are some examples. PAD includes but is notlimited to:

a.) Matrix Systems:

The fragrance is dissolved or dispersed in a polymer matrix or particle.Perfumes, for example, may be 1) dispersed into the polymer prior toformulating into the product or 2) added separately from the polymerduring or after formulation of the product. Diffusion of perfume fromthe polymer is a common trigger that allows or increases the rate ofperfume release from a polymeric matrix system that is deposited orapplied to the desired surface (situs), although many other triggers areknow that may control perfume release. Absorption and/or adsorption intoor onto polymeric particles, films, solutions, and the like are aspectsof this technology. Nano- or micro-particles composed of organicmaterials (e.g., latexes) are examples. Suitable particles include awide range of materials including, but not limited to polyacetal,polyacrylate, polyacrylic, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide,polyaryletherketone, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polybutyleneterephthalate, polychloroprene, poly ethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate,polycarbonate, polychloroprene, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyketone,polyester, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone,polyethylenechlorinates, polyimide, polyisoprene, polylactic acid,polymethylpentene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide,polyphthalamide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl chloride, as well as polymers or copolymers based onacrylonitrile-butadiene, cellulose acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate,ethylene vinyl alcohol, styrene-butadiene, vinyl acetate-ethylene, andmixtures thereof.

“Standard” systems refer to those that are “pre-loaded” with the intentof keeping the pre-loaded perfume associated with the polymer until themoment or moments of perfume release. Such polymers may also suppressthe neat product odor and provide a bloom and/or longevity benefitdepending on the rate of perfume release. One challenge with suchsystems is to achieve the ideal balance between 1) in-product stability(keeping perfume inside carrier until you need it) and 2) timely release(during use or from dry situs). Achieving such stability is particularlyimportant during in-product storage and product aging. This challenge isparticularly apparent for aqueous-based, surfactant-containing products,such as heavy duty liquid laundry detergents. Many “Standard” matrixsystems available effectively become “Equilibrium” systems whenformulated into aqueous-based products. One may select an “Equilibrium”system or a Reservoir system, which has acceptable in-product diffusionstability and available triggers for release (e.g., friction).“Equilibrium” systems are those in which the perfume and polymer may beadded separately to the product, and the equilibrium interaction betweenperfume and polymer leads to a benefit at one or more consumer touchpoints (versus a free perfume control that has no polymer-assisteddelivery technology). The polymer may also be pre-loaded with perfume;however, part or all of the perfume may diffuse during in-productstorage reaching an equilibrium that includes having desired perfume rawmaterials (PRMs) associated with the polymer. The polymer then carriesthe perfume to the surface, and release is typically via perfumediffusion. The use of such equilibrium system polymers has the potentialto decrease the neat product odor intensity of the neat product (usuallymore so in the case of pre-loaded standard system). Deposition of suchpolymers may serve to “flatten” the release profile and provideincreased longevity. As indicated above, such longevity would beachieved by suppressing the initial intensity and may enable theformulator to use more high impact or low odor detection threshold (ODT)or low Kovats Index (KI) PRMs to achieve FMOT benefits without initialintensity that is too strong or distorted. It is important that perfumerelease occurs within the time frame of the application to impact thedesired consumer touch point or touch points. Suitable micro-particlesand micro-latexes as well as methods of making same may be found in USPA2005/0003980 A1. Matrix systems also include hot melt adhesives andperfume plastics. In addition, hydrophobically modified polysaccharidesmay be formulated into the perfumed product to increase perfumedeposition and/or modify perfume release. All such matrix systems,including for example polysaccarides and nanolatexes may be combinedwith other PDTs, including other PAD systems such as PAD reservoirsystems in the form of a perfume microcapsule (PMC). Polymer AssistedDelivery (PAD) matrix systems may include those described in thefollowing references: US Patent Applications 2004/0110648 A1;2004/0092414 A1; 2004/0091445 A1 and 2004/0087476 A1; and U.S. Pat. Nos.6,531,444; 6,024,943; 6,042,792; 6,051,540; 4,540,721 and 4,973,422.

Silicones are also examples of polymers that may be used as PDT, and canprovide perfume benefits in a manner similar to the polymer-assisteddelivery “matrix system”. Such a PDT is referred to as silicone-assisteddelivery (SAD). One may pre-load silicones with perfume, or use them asan equilibrium system as described for PAD. Suitable silicones as wellas making same may be found in WO 2005/102261; USPA 20050124530A1; USPA20050143282A1; and WO 2003/015736. Functionalized silicones may also beused as described in USPA 2006/003913 A1. Examples of silicones includepolydimethylsiloxane and polyalkyldimethylsiloxanes. Other examplesinclude those with amine functionality, which may be used to providebenefits associated with amine-assisted delivery (AAD) and/orpolymer-assisted delivery (PAD) and/or amine-reaction products (ARP).Other such examples may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,852; USPA2004/0058845 A1; USPA 2004/0092425 A1 and USPA 2005/0003980 A1.

b.) Reservoir Systems:

Reservoir systems are also known as a core-shell type technology, or onein which the fragrance is surrounded by a perfume release controllingmembrane, which may serve as a protective shell. The material inside themicrocapsule is referred to as the core, internal phase, or fill,whereas the wall is sometimes called a shell, coating, or membrane.Microparticles or pressure sensitive capsules or microcapsules areexamples of this technology. Microcapsules of the current invention areformed by a variety of procedures that include, but are not limited to,coating, extrusion, spray-drying, interfacial, in-situ and matrixpolymerization. The possible shell materials vary widely in theirstability toward water. Among the most stable are polyoxymethyleneurea(PMU)-based materials, which may hold certain PRMs for even long periodsof time in aqueous solution (or product). Such systems include but arenot limited to urea-formaldehyde and/or melamine-formaldehyde. Stableshell materials include polyacrylate-based materials obtained asreaction product of an oil soluble or dispersible amine with amultifunctional acrylate or methacrylate monomer or oligomer, an oilsoluble acid and an initiator, in presence of an anionic emulsifiercomprising a water soluble or water dispersible acrylic acid alkyl acidcopolymer, an alkali or alkali salt. Gelatin-based microcapsules may beprepared so that they dissolve quickly or slowly in water, depending forexample on the degree of cross-linking. Many other capsule wallmaterials are available and vary in the degree of perfume diffusionstability observed. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the rate ofrelease of perfume from a capsule, for example, once deposited on asurface is typically in reverse order of in-product perfume diffusionstability. As such, urea-formaldehyde and melamine-formaldehydemicrocapsules for example, typically require a release mechanism otherthan, or in addition to, diffusion for release, such as mechanical force(e.g., friction, pressure, shear stress) that serves to break thecapsule and increase the rate of perfume (fragrance) release. Othertriggers include melting, dissolution, hydrolysis or other chemicalreaction, electromagnetic radiation, and the like. The use of pre-loadedmicrocapsules requires the proper ratio of in-product stability andin-use and/or on-surface (on-situs) release, as well as proper selectionof PRMs. Microcapsules that are based on urea-formaldehyde and/ormelamine-formaldehyde are relatively stable, especially in near neutralaqueous-based solutions. These materials may require a friction triggerwhich may not be applicable to all product applications. Othermicrocapsule materials (e.g., gelatin) may be unstable in aqueous-basedproducts and may even provide reduced benefit (versus free perfumecontrol) when in-product aged. Scratch and sniff technologies are yetanother example of PAD. Perfume microcapsules (PMC) may include thosedescribed in the following references: US Patent Applications:2003/0125222 A1; 2003/215417 A1; 2003/216488 A1; 2003/158344 A1;2003/165692 A1; 2004/071742 A1; 2004/071746 A1; 2004/072719 A1;2004/072720 A1; 2006/0039934 A1; 2003/203829 A1; 2003/195133 A1;2004/087477 A1; 2004/0106536 A1; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,645,479 B1;6,200,949 B1; 4,882,220; 4,917,920; 4,514,461; 6,106,875 and 4,234,627,3,594,328 and US RE 32713, PCT Patent Application: WO 2009/134234 A1, WO2006/127454 A2, WO 2010/079466 A2, WO 2010/079467 A2, WO 2010/079468 A2,WO 2010/084480 A2.

II. Molecule-Assisted Delivery (MAD):

Non-polymer materials or molecules may also serve to improve thedelivery of perfume. Without wishing to be bound by theory, perfume maynon-covalently interact with organic materials, resulting in altereddeposition and/or release.

Non-limiting examples of such organic materials include but are notlimited to hydrophobic materials such as organic oils, waxes, mineraloils, petrolatum, fatty acids or esters, sugars, surfactants, liposomesand even other perfume raw material (perfume oils), as well as naturaloils, including body and/or other soils. Perfume fixatives are yetanother example. In one aspect, non-polymeric materials or moleculeshave a CLogP greater than about 2. Molecule-Assisted Delivery (MAD) mayalso include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,060 and U.S. Pat.No. 5,506,201.

III. Fiber-Assisted Delivery (FAD):

The choice or use of a situs itself may serve to improve the delivery ofperfume. In fact, the situs itself may be a perfume delivery technology.For example, different fabric types such as cotton or polyester willhave different properties with respect to ability to attract and/orretain and/or release perfume. The amount of perfume deposited on or infibers may be altered by the choice of fiber, and also by the history ortreatment of the fiber, as well as by any fiber coatings or treatments.Fibers may be woven and non-woven as well as natural or synthetic.Natural fibers include those produced by plants, animals, and geologicalprocesses, and include but are not limited to cellulose materials suchas cotton, linen, hemp jute, flax, ramie, and sisal, and fibers used tomanufacture paper and cloth. Fiber-Assisted Delivery may consist of theuse of wood fiber, such as thermomechanical pulp and bleached orunbleached kraft or sulfite pulps. Animal fibers consist largely ofparticular proteins, such as silk, sinew, catgut and hair (includingwool). Polymer fibers based on synthetic chemicals include but are notlimited to polyamide nylon, PET or PBT polyester, phenol-formaldehyde(PF), polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVOH), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC),polyolefins (PP and PE), and acrylic polymers. All such fibers may bepre-loaded with a perfume, and then added to a product that may or maynot contain free perfume and/or one or more perfume deliverytechnologies. In one aspect, the fibers may be added to a product priorto being loaded with a perfume, and then loaded with a perfume by addinga perfume that may diffuse into the fiber, to the product. Withoutwishing to be bound by theory, the perfume may absorb onto or beadsorbed into the fiber, for example, during product storage, and thenbe released at one or more moments of truth or consumer touch points.

IV. Amine Assisted Delivery (AAD):

The amine-assisted delivery technology approach utilizes materials thatcontain an amine group to increase perfume deposition or modify perfumerelease during product use. There is no requirement in this approach topre-complex or pre-react the perfume raw material(s) and amine prior toaddition to the product. In one aspect, amine-containing AAD materialssuitable for use herein may be non-aromatic; for example,polyalkylimine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI), or polyvinylamine(PVAm), or aromatic, for example, anthranilates. Such materials may alsobe polymeric or non-polymeric. In one aspect, such materials contain atleast one primary amine. This technology will allow increased longevityand controlled release also of low ODT perfume notes (e.g., aldehydes,ketones, enones) via amine functionality, and delivery of other PRMs,without being bound by theory, via polymer-assisted delivery forpolymeric amines Without technology, volatile top notes can be lost tooquickly, leaving a higher ratio of middle and base notes to top notes.The use of a polymeric amine allows higher levels of top notes and otherPRMS to be used to obtain freshness longevity without causing neatproduct odor to be more intense than desired, or allows top notes andother PRMs to be used more efficiently. In one aspect, AAD systems areeffective at delivering PRMs at pH greater than about neutral. Withoutwishing to be bound by theory, conditions in which more of the amines ofthe AAD system are deprotonated may result in an increased affinity ofthe deprotonated amines for PRMs such as aldehydes and ketones,including unsaturated ketones and enones such as damascone. In anotheraspect, polymeric amines are effective at delivering PRMs at pH lessthan about neutral. Without wishing to be bound by theory, conditions inwhich more of the amines of the AAD system are protonated may result ina decreased affinity of the protonated amines for PRMs such as aldehydesand ketones, and a strong affinity of the polymer framework for a broadrange of PRMs. In such an aspect, polymer-assisted delivery may bedelivering more of the perfume benefit; such systems are a subspecies ofAAD and may be referred to as Amine-Polymer-Assisted Delivery or APAD.In some cases when the APAD is employed in a composition that has a pHof less than seven, such APAD systems may also be consideredPolymer-Assisted Delivery (PAD). In yet another aspect, AAD and PADsystems may interact with other materials, such as anionic surfactantsor polymers to form coacervate and/or coacervates-like systems. Inanother aspect, a material that contains a heteroatom other thannitrogen, for example sulfur, phosphorus or selenium, may be used as analternative to amine compounds. In yet another aspect, theaforementioned alternative compounds can be used in combination withamine compounds. In yet another aspect, a single molecule may comprisean amine moiety and one or more of the alternative heteroatom moieties,for example, thiols, phosphines and selenols. Suitable AAD systems aswell as methods of making same may be found in US Patent Applications2005/0003980 A1; 2003/0199422 A1; 2003/0036489 A1; 2004/0220074 A1 andU.S. Pat. No. 6,103,678.

V. Cyclodextrin Delivery System (CD):

This technology approach uses a cyclic oligosaccharide or cyclodextrinto improve the delivery of perfume. Typically a perfume and cyclodextrin(CD) complex is formed. Such complexes may be preformed, formed in-situ,or formed on or in the situs. Without wishing to be bound by theory,loss of water may serve to shift the equilibrium toward the CD-Perfumecomplex, especially if other adjunct ingredients (e.g., surfactant) arenot present at high concentration to compete with the perfume for thecyclodextrin cavity. A bloom benefit may be achieved if water exposureor an increase in moisture content occurs at a later time point. Inaddition, cyclodextrin allows the perfume formulator increasedflexibility in selection of PRMs. Cyclodextrin may be pre-loaded withperfume or added separately from perfume to obtain the desired perfumestability, deposition or release benefit. Suitable CDs as well asmethods of making same may be found in USPA 2005/0003980 A1 and2006/0263313 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,552,378; 3,812,011; 4,317,881;4,418,144 and 4,378,923.

VI. Starch Encapsulated Accord (SEA):

The use of a starch encapsulated accord (SEA) technology allows one tomodify the properties of the perfume, for example, by converting aliquid perfume into a solid by adding ingredients such as starch. Thebenefit includes increased perfume retention during product storage,especially under non-aqueous conditions. Upon exposure to moisture, aperfume bloom may be triggered. Benefits at other moments of truth mayalso be achieved because the starch allows the product formulator toselect PRMs or PRM concentrations that normally cannot be used withoutthe presence of SEA. Another technology example includes the use ofother organic and inorganic materials, such as silica to convert perfumefrom liquid to solid. Suitable SEAs as well as methods of making samemay be found in USPA 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,754 B1.

VII. Inorganic Carrier Delivery System (ZIC):

This technology relates to the use of porous zeolites or other inorganicmaterials to deliver perfumes. Perfume-loaded zeolite may be used withor without adjunct ingredients used for example to coat theperfume-loaded zeolite (PLZ) to change its perfume release propertiesduring product storage or during use or from the dry situs. Suitablezeolite and inorganic carriers as well as methods of making same may befound in USPA 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,858,959; 6,245,732B1; 6,048,830 and 4,539,135. Silica is another form of ZIC. Anotherexample of a suitable inorganic carrier includes inorganic tubules,where the perfume or other active material is contained within the lumenof the nano- or micro-tubules. In one aspect, the perfume-loadedinorganic tubule (or Perfume-Loaded Tubule or PLT) is a mineral nano- ormicro-tubule, such as halloysite or mixtures of halloysite with otherinorganic materials, including other clays. The PLT technology may alsocomprise additional ingredients on the inside and/or outside of thetubule for the purpose of improving in-product diffusion stability,deposition on the desired situs or for controlling the release rate ofthe loaded perfume. Monomeric and/or polymeric materials, includingstarch encapsulation, may be used to coat, plug, cap, or otherwiseencapsulate the PLT. Suitable PLT systems as well as methods of makingsame may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,976.

VIII. Pro-Perfume (PP):

This technology refers to perfume technologies that result from thereaction of perfume materials with other substrates or chemicals to formmaterials that have a covalent bond between one or more PRMs and one ormore carriers. The PRM is converted into a new material called a pro-PRM(i.e., pro-perfume), which then may release the original PRM uponexposure to a trigger such as water or light. Pro-perfumes may provideenhanced perfume delivery properties such as increased perfumedeposition, longevity, stability, retention, and the like. Pro-perfumesinclude those that are monomeric (non-polymeric) or polymeric, and maybe pre-formed or may be formed in-situ under equilibrium conditions,such as those that may be present during in-product storage or on thewet or dry situs. Nonlimiting examples of pro-perfumes include Michaeladducts (e.g., beta-amino ketones), aromatic or non-aromatic imines(Schiff bases), oxazolidines, beta-keto esters, and orthoesters. Anotheraspect includes compounds comprising one or more beta-oxy or beta-thiocarbonyl moieties capable of releasing a PRM, for example, an alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone, aldehyde or carboxylic ester. The typicaltrigger for perfume release is exposure to water; although othertriggers may include enzymes, heat, light, pH change, autoxidation, ashift of equilibrium, change in concentration or ionic strength andothers. For aqueous-based products, light-triggered pro-perfumes areparticularly suited. Such photo-pro-perfumes (PPPs) include but are notlimited to those that release coumarin derivatives and perfumes and/orpro-perfumes upon being triggered. The released pro-perfume may releaseone or more PRMs by means of any of the above mentioned triggers. In oneaspect, the photo-pro-perfume releases a nitrogen-based pro-perfume whenexposed to a light and/or moisture trigger. In another aspect, thenitrogen-based pro-perfume, released from the photo-pro-perfume,releases one or more PRMs selected, for example, from aldehydes, ketones(including enones) and alcohols. In still another aspect, the PPPreleases a dihydroxy coumarin derivative. The light-triggeredpro-perfume may also be an ester that releases a coumarin derivative anda perfume alcohol. In one aspect the pro-perfume is a dimethoxybenzoinderivative as described in USPA 2006/0020459 A1. In another aspect thepro-perfume is a 3′,5′-dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) derivative that releasesan alcohol upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In yet anotheraspect, the pro-perfume releases one or more low ODT PRMs, includingtertiary alcohols such as linalool, tetrahydrolinalool, ordihydromyrcenol. Suitable pro-perfumes and methods of making same can befound in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,018,978 B2; 6,987,084 B2; 6,956,013 B2;6,861,402 B1; 6,544,945 B1; 6,093,691; 6,277,796 B1; 6,165,953;6,316,397 B1; 6,437,150 B1; 6,479,682 B1; 6,096,918; 6,218,355 B1;6,133,228; 6,147,037; 7,109,153 B2; 7,071,151 B2; 6,987,084 B2;6,610,646 B2 and 5,958,870, as well as can be found in USPA 2005/0003980A1 and USPA 2006/0223726 A1.

a.) Amine Reaction Product (ARP):

For purposes of the present application, ARP is a subclass or species ofPP. One may also use “reactive” polymeric amines in which the aminefunctionality is pre-reacted with one or more PRMs to form an aminereaction product (ARP). Typically the reactive amines are primary and/orsecondary amines, and may be part of a polymer or a monomer(non-polymer). Such ARPs may also be mixed with additional PRMs toprovide benefits of polymer-assisted delivery and/or amine-assisteddelivery. Nonlimiting examples of polymeric amines include polymersbased on polyalkylimines, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI), orpolyvinylamine (PVAm). Nonlimiting examples of monomeric (non-polymeric)amines include hydroxyl amines, such as 2-aminoethanol and its alkylsubstituted derivatives, and aromatic amines such as anthranilates. TheARPs may be premixed with perfume or added separately in leave-on orrinse-off applications. In another aspect, a material that contains aheteroatom other than nitrogen, for example oxygen, sulfur, phosphorusor selenium, may be used as an alternative to amine compounds. In yetanother aspect, the aforementioned alternative compounds can be used incombination with amine compounds. In yet another aspect, a singlemolecule may comprise an amine moiety and one or more of the alternativeheteroatom moieties, for example, thiols, phosphines and selenols. Thebenefit may include improved delivery of perfume as well as controlledperfume release. Suitable ARPs as well as methods of making same can befound in USPA 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,920 B1.

Bleaching Agents

The filaments of the present invention may comprise one or morebleaching agents. Non-limiting examples of suitable bleaching agentsinclude peroxyacids, perborate, percarbonate, chlorine bleaches, oxygenbleaches, hypohalite bleaches, bleach precursors, bleach activators,bleach catalysts, hydrogen peroxide, bleach boosters, photobleaches,bleaching enzymes, free radical initiators, peroxygen bleaches, andmixtures thereof.

One or more bleaching agents may be included in the filaments of thepresent invention may be included at a level from about 1% to about 30%and/or from about 5% to about 20% by weight on a dry filament basis. Ifpresent, bleach activators may be present in the filaments of thepresent invention at a level from about 0.1% to about 60% and/or fromabout 0.5% to about 40% by weight on a dry filament basis.

Non-limiting examples of bleaching agents include oxygen bleach,perborate bleach, percarboxylic acid bleach and salts thereof, peroxygenbleach, persulfate bleach, percarbonate bleach, and mixtures thereof.Further, non-limiting examples of bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,483,781, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 740,446, EuropeanPatent Application 0 133 354, U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934, and U.S. Pat. No.4,634,551.

Non-limiting examples of bleach activators (e.g., acyl lactamactivators) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,854; 4,412,934;4,634,551; 4,634,551; and 4,966,723.

In one example, the bleaching agent comprises a transition metal bleachcatalyst, which may be encapsulated. The transition metal bleachcatalyst typically comprises a transition metal ion, for example atransition metal ion from a transition metal selected from the groupconsisting of: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Mn(V), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe(IV),Co(I), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(I), Ni(II), Ni(III), Cu(I), Cu(II), Cu(III),Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), Cr(VI), V(III), V(IV), V(V), Mo(IV),Mo(V), Mo(VI), W(IV), W(V), W(VI), Pd(II), Ru(II), Ru(III), and Ru(IV).In one example, the transition metal is selected from the groupconsisting of: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(II),Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), and Cr(VI). The transition metal bleach catalysttypically comprises a ligand, for example a macropolycyclic ligand, suchas a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand. The transition metal ion maybe coordinated with the ligand. Further, the ligand may comprise atleast four donor atoms, at least two of which are bridgehead donoratoms. Non-limiting examples of suitable transition metal bleachcatalysts are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,485, U.S. Pat. No.4,430,243; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,455; U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,621; U.S. Pat.No. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,944; U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,416; U.S.Pat. No. 5,246,612; U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,779; U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,117;U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,147; U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,161; U.S. Pat. No.5,227,084; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,606; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,611, EP 549,271A1; EP 544,490 A1; EP 549,272 A1; and EP 544,440 A2. In one example, asuitable transition metal bleach catalyst comprises a manganese-basedcatalyst, for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,282. In anotherexample, suitable cobalt bleach catalysts are described, in U.S. Pat.No. 5,597,936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,967. Such cobalt catalysts arereadily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in U.S.Pat. No. 5,597,936, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,967. In yet another,suitable transition metal bleach catalysts comprise a transition metalcomplex of ligand such as bispidones described in WO 05/042532 A1.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known inthe art and can be utilized herein (e.g., photoactivated bleachingagents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines (U.S.Pat. No. 4,033,718, incorporated herein by reference)), and/orpre-formed organic peracids, such as peroxycarboxylic acid or saltthereof, and/or peroxysulphonic acids or salts thereof. In one example,a suitable organic peracid comprises phthaloylimidoperoxycaproic acid orsalt thereof. When present, the photoactivated bleaching agents, such assulfonated zinc phthalocyanine, may be present in the filaments of thepresent invention at a level from about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weighton a dry filament basis.

Brighteners

Any optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents knownin the art may be incorporated in the filaments of the present inventionat levels from about 0.01% to about 1.2% by weight on a dry filamentbasis. Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful in the presentinvention can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are notnecessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin,carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles,5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents.Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in “The Production andApplication of Fluorescent Brightening Agents”, M. Zahradnik, Publishedby John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982). Specific nonlimiting examples ofoptical brighteners which are useful in the present compositions arethose identified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,856 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,015.

Fabric Hueing Agents

The filaments of the present invention my include fabric hueing agents.Non-limiting examples of suitable fabric hueing agents include smallmolecule dyes and polymeric dyes. Suitable small molecule dyes includesmall molecule dyes selected from the group consisting of dyes fallinginto the Colour Index (C.I.) classifications of Direct Blue, Direct Red,Direct Violet, Acid Blue, Acid Red, Acid Violet, Basic Blue, BasicViolet and Basic Red, or mixtures thereof. In another example, suitablepolymeric dyes include polymeric dyes selected from the group consistingof fabric-substantive colorants sold under the name of Liquitint®(Milliken, Spartanburg, S.C., USA), dye-polymer conjugates formed fromat least one reactive dye and a polymer selected from the groupconsisting of polymers comprising a moiety selected from the groupconsisting of a hydroxyl moiety, a primary amine moiety, a secondaryamine moiety, a thiol moiety and mixtures thereof. In still anotheraspect, suitable polymeric dyes include polymeric dyes selected from thegroup consisting of Liquitint® (Milliken, Spartanburg, S.C., USA) VioletCT, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) conjugated with a reactive blue,reactive violet or reactive red dye such as CMC conjugated with C.I.Reactive Blue 19, sold by Megazyme, Wicklow, Ireland under the productname AZO-CM-CELLULOSE, product code S-ACMC, alkoxylatedtriphenyl-methane polymeric colourants, alkoxylated thiophene polymericcolourants, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of useful hueing dyes include those found in U.S.Pat. No. 7,205,269; U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,459; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,757B2. For example, fabric hueing dyes may be selected from the groupconsisting of: triarylmethane blue and violet basic dyes, methine blueand violet basic dyes, anthraquinone blue and violet basic dyes, azodyes basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66 basic blue 67, basicblue 71, basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet 35, basic violet38, basic violet 48, oxazine dyes, basic blue 3, basic blue 75, basicblue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141, Nile blue A andxanthene dye basic violet 10, an alkoxylated triphenylmethane polymericcolorant; an alkoxylated thiopene polymeric colorant; thiazolium dye;and mixtures thereof.

In one example, a fabric hueing dye includes the whitening agents foundin WO 08/87497 A1. These whitening agents may be characterized by thefollowing structure (I):

wherein R₁ and R₂ can independently be selected from:

-   a) [(CH₂CR′HO)_(x)(CH₂CR″HO)_(y)H]    -   wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,        CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected        from the group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures        thereof; wherein x+y<5; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5;-   b) R₁=alkyl, aryl or aryl alkyl and    R₂=[(CH₂CR′HO)_(x)(CH₂CR″HO)_(y)H]    -   wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,        CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected        from the group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures        thereof; wherein x+y<10; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5;-   c) R₁=[CH₂CH₂(OR₃)CH₂OR₄] and R₂=[CH₂CH₂(O R₃)CH₂O R₄]    -   wherein R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H,        (CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; and wherein z=0 to 10;    -   wherein R₄ is selected from the group consisting of        (C₁-C₁₆)alkyl, aryl groups, and mixtures thereof; and-   d) wherein R1 and R2 can independently be selected from the amino    addition product of styrene oxide, glycidyl methyl ether, isobutyl    glycidyl ether, isopropylglycidyl ether, t-butyl glycidyl ether,    2-ethylhexylgycidyl ether, and glycidylhexadecyl ether, followed by    the addition of from 1 to 10 alkylene oxide units.

In another example, a suitable whitening agent may be characterized bythe following structure (II):

wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected fromthe group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof;wherein x+y≦5; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5.

In yet another example, a suitable whitening agent may be characterizedby the following structure (III):

This whitening agent is commonly referred to as “Violet DD”. Violet DDis typically a mixture having a total of 5 EO groups. This structure isarrived by the following selection in Structure I of the followingpendant groups shown in Table I below in “part a” above:

TABLE I R1 R2 R′ R″ X y R′ R″ x y a H H 3 1 H H 0 1 b H H 2 1 H H 1 1 c= b H H 1 1 H H 2 1 d = a H H 0 1 H H 3 1

Further whitening agents of use include those described in US2008/34511A1 (Unilever). In one example, the whitening agent comprises “Violet13”.

Dye Transfer Inhibiting Agents

The filaments of the present invention may include one or more dyetransfer inhibiting agents that inhibit transfer of dyes from one fabricto another during a cleaning process. Generally, such dye transferinhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamineN-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole,manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. If used,these agents typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% and/orfrom about 0.01% to about 5% and/or from about 0.05% to about 2% byweight on a dry filament basis.

Chelating Agents

The filaments of the present invention may contain one or more chelatingagents, for example one or more iron and/or manganese and/or other metalion chelating agents. Such chelating agents can be selected from thegroup consisting of: amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixturesthereof. If utilized, these chelating agents will generally comprisefrom about 0.1% to about 15% and/or from about 0.1% to about 10% and/orfrom about 0.1% to about 5% and/or from about 0.1% to about 3% by weighton a dry filament basis.

The chelating agents may be chosen by one skilled in the art to providefor heavy metal (e.g. Fe) sequestration without negatively impactingenzyme stability through the excessive binding of calcium ions.Non-limiting examples of chelating agents of use in the presentinvention are found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,445,644, U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,376and US 2009/0176684A1.

Useful chelating agents include heavy metal chelating agents, such asdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and/or a catechol including,but not limited to, Tiron. In embodiments in which a dual chelatingagent system is used, the chelating agents may be DTPA and Tiron.

DTPA has the following core molecular structure:

Tiron, also known as 1,2-diydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid, is onemember of the catechol family and has the core molecular structure shownbelow:

Other sulphonated catechols are of use. In addition to the disulfonicacid, the term “tiron” may also include mono- or di-sulfonate salts ofthe acid, such as, for example, the disodium sulfonate salt, whichshares the same core molecular structure with the disulfonic acid.

Other chelating agents suitable for use herein can be selected from thegroup consisting of: aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixturesthereof. In one example, the chelating agents include but are notlimited to: HEDP (hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid); MGDA(methylglycinediacetic acid); and mixtures thereof.

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the benefitof these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to removeheavy metal ions from washing solutions by formation of solublechelates; other benefits include inorganic film or scale prevention.Other suitable chelating agents for use herein are the commercialDEQUEST series, and chelants from Monsanto, DuPont, and Nalco, Inc.

Aminocarboxylates useful as chelating agents include, but are notlimited to, ethylenediaminetetracetates,N-(hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates,ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates,diethylenetriamine-pentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal,ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof.Aminophosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in thecompositions of the invention when at least low levels of totalphosphorus are permitted in the filaments of the present invention, andinclude ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates). In one example,these aminophosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with morethan about 6 carbon atoms. Polyfunctionally-substituted aromaticchelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S.Pat. No. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Non-limitingexamples of compounds of this type in acid form aredihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

In one example, a biodegradable chelating agent comprisesethylenediamine disuccinate (“EDDS”), for example the [S,S] isomer asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233. The trisodium salt of EDDS may beused. In another example, the magnesium salts of EDDS may also be used.

One or more chelating agents may be present in the filaments of thepresent invention at a level from about 0.2% to about 0.7% and/or fromabout 0.3% to about 0.6% by weight on a dry filament basis.

Suds Suppressors

Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can beincorporated into the filaments of the present invention. Sudssuppression can be of particular importance in the so-called “highconcentration cleaning process” as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,489,455and 4,489,574, and in front-loading-style washing machines.

A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and sudssuppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, forexample, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition,Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). Examples ofsuds supressors include monocarboxylic fatty acid and soluble saltstherein, high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acidesters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalentalcohols, aliphatic C₁₈-C₄₀ ketones (e.g., stearone), N-alkylated aminotriazines, waxy hydrocarbons preferably having a melting point belowabout 100° C., silicone suds suppressors, and secondary alcohols. Sudssupressors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,954,347; 4,265,779;4,265,779; 3,455,839; 3,933,672; 4,652,392; 4,978,471; 4,983,316;5,288,431; 4,639,489; 4,749,740; and 4,798,679; 4,075,118; EuropeanPatent Application No. 89307851.9; EP 150,872; and DOS 2,124,526.

For any filaments and/or nonwovens comprising such filaments of thepresent invention designed to be used in automatic laundry washingmachines, suds should not form to the extent that they overflow thewashing machine. Suds suppressors, when utilized, are preferably presentin a “suds suppressing amount. By “suds suppressing amount” is meantthat the formulator of the composition can select an amount of this sudscontrolling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in alow-sudsing laundry detergent for use in automatic laundry washingmachines.

The filaments herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 10% byweight on a dry filament basis of suds suppressors. When utilized assuds suppressors, for example monocarboxylic fatty acids, and saltstherein, may be present in amounts up to about 5% and/or from about 0.5%to about 3% by weight on a dry filament basis. When utilized, siliconesuds suppressors are typically used in the filaments at a level up toabout 2.0% by weight on a dry filament basis, although higher amountsmay be used. When utilized, monostearyl phosphate suds suppressors aretypically used in the filaments at a level from about 0.1% to about 2%by weight on a dry filament basis. When utilized, hydrocarbon sudssuppressors are typically utilized in the filaments at a level fromabout 0.01% to about 5.0% by weight on a dry filament basis, althoughhigher levels can be used. When utilized, alcohol suds suppressors aretypically used in the filaments at a level from about 0.2% to about 3%by weight on a dry filament basis.

Suds Boosters

If high sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the C₁₀-C₁₆alkanolamides can be incorporated into the filaments, typically at alevel from 0% to about 10% and/or from about 1% to about 10% by weighton a dry filament basis. The C₁₀-C₁₄ monoethanol and diethanol amidesillustrate a typical class of such suds boosters. Use of such sudsboosters with high sudsing adjunct surfactants such as the amine oxides,betaines and sultaines noted above is also advantageous. If desired,water-soluble magnesium and/or calcium salts such as MgCl₂, MgSO₄,CaCl₂, CaSO₄ and the like, may be added to the filaments at levels fromabout 0.1% to about 2% by weight on a dry filament basis to provideadditional suds.

Softening Agents

One or more softening agents may be present in the filaments.Non-limiting examples of suitable softening agents include quaternaryammonium compounds for example a quaternary ammonium esterquat compound,silicones such as polysiloxanes, clays such as smectite clays, andmixture thereof.

In one example, the softening agents comprise a fabric softening agent.Non-limiting examples of fabric softening agents include impalpablesmectite clays, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,647, aswell as other fabric softening clays known in the art. When present, thefabric softening agent may be present in the filaments at a level fromabout 0.5% to about 10% and/or from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight ona dry filament basis. Fabric softening clays may be used in combinationwith amine and/or cationic softening agents such as those disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,375,416, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,071. Cationic softeningagents may also be used without fabric softening clays.

Conditioning Agents

The filaments of the present invention may include one or moreconditioning agents, such as a high melting point fatty compound. Thehigh melting point fatty compound may have a melting point of about 25°C. or greater, and may be selected from the group consisting of: fattyalcohols, fatty acids, fatty alcohol derivatives, fatty acidderivatives, and mixtures thereof. Such fatty compounds that exhibit alow melting point (less than 25° C.) are not intended to be included asa conditioning agent. Non-limiting examples of the high melting pointfatty compounds are found in International Cosmetic IngredientDictionary, Fifth Edition, 1993, and CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook,Second Edition, 1992.

One or more high melting point fatty compounds may be included in thefilaments of the present invention at a level from about 0.1% to about40% and/or from about 1% to about 30% and/or from about 1.5% to about16% and/or from about 1.5% to about 8% by weight on a dry filamentbasis. The conditioning agents may provide conditioning benefits, suchas slippery feel during the application to wet hair and/or fabrics,softness and/or moisturized feel on dry hair and/or fabrics.

The filaments of the present invention may contain a cationic polymer asa conditioning agent. Concentrations of the cationic polymer in thefilaments, when present, typically range from about 0.05% to about 3%and/or from about 0.075% to about 2.0% and/or from about 0.1% to about1.0% by weight on a dry filament basis. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable cationic polymers may have cationic charge densities of atleast 0.5 meq/gm and/or at least 0.9 meq/gm and/or at least 1.2 meq/gmand/or at least 1.5 meq/gm at a pH of from about 3 to about 9 and/orfrom about 4 to about 8. In one example, cationic polymers suitable asconditioning agents may have cationic charge densities of less than 7meq/gm and/or less than 5 meq/gm at a pH of from about 3 to about 9and/or from about 4 to about 8. Herein, “cationic charge density” of apolymer refers to the ratio of the number of positive charges on thepolymer to the molecular weight of the polymer. The weight averagemolecular weight of such suitable cationic polymers will generally bebetween about 10,000 and 10 million, in one embodiment between about50,000 and about 5 million, and in another embodiment between about100,000 and about 3 million.

Suitable cationic polymers for use in the filaments of the presentinvention may contain cationic nitrogen-containing moieties such asquaternary ammonium and/or cationic protonated amino moieties. Anyanionic counterions may be used in association with the cationicpolymers so long as the cationic polymers remain soluble in water and solong as the counterions are physically and chemically compatible withthe other components of the filaments or do not otherwise unduly impairproduct performance, stability or aesthetics of the filaments.Non-limiting examples of such counterions include halides (e.g.,chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide), sulfates and methylsulfates.

Non-limiting examples of such cationic polymers are described in theCTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 3rd edition, edited by Estrin,Crosley, and Haynes, (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association,Inc., Washington, D.C. (1982)).

Other suitable cationic polymers for use in the filaments of the presentinvention include cationic polysaccharide polymers, cationic guar gumderivatives, quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers, cationicsynthetic polymers, cationic copolymers of etherified cellulose, guarand starch. When used, the cationic polymers herein are soluble inwater. Further, suitable cationic polymers for use in the filaments ofthe present invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,418, U.S.Pat. No. 3,958,581, and U.S. 2007/0207109A1, which are all incorporatedherein by reference.

The filaments of the present invention may include a nonionic polymer asa conditioning agent. Polyalkylene glycols having a molecular weight ofmore than about 1000 are useful herein. Useful are those having thefollowing general formula:

wherein R⁹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of: H, methyl, andmixtures thereof.

Silicones may be included in the filaments as conditioning agents. Thesilicones useful as conditioning agents typically comprise a waterinsoluble, water dispersible, non-volatile, liquid that formsemulsified, liquid particles. Suitable conditioning agents for use inthe composition are those conditioning agents characterized generally assilicones (e.g., silicone oils, cationic silicones, silicone gums, highrefractive silicones, and silicone resins), organic conditioning oils(e.g., hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, and fatty esters) or combinationsthereof, or those conditioning agents which otherwise form liquid,dispersed particles in the aqueous surfactant matrix herein. Suchconditioning agents should be physically and chemically compatible withthe essential components of the composition, and should not otherwiseunduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance.

The concentration of the conditioning agents in the filaments may besufficient to provide the desired conditioning benefits. Suchconcentration can vary with the conditioning agent, the conditioningperformance desired, the average size of the conditioning agentparticles, the type and concentration of other components, and otherlike factors.

The concentration of the silicone conditioning agents typically rangesfrom about 0.01% to about 10% by weight on a dry filament basis.Non-limiting examples of suitable silicone conditioning agents, andoptional suspending agents for the silicone, are described in U.S.Reissue Pat. No. 34,584, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,646; 5,106,609; 4,152,416;2,826,551; 3,964,500; 4,364,837; 6,607,717; 6,482,969; 5,807,956;5,981,681; 6,207,782; 7,465,439; 7,041,767; 7,217,777; US PatentApplication Nos. 2007/0286837A1; 2005/0048549A1; 2007/0041929A1; BritishPat. No. 849,433; German Patent No. DE 10036533, which are allincorporated herein by reference; Chemistry and Technology of Silicones,New York: Academic Press (1968); General Electric Silicone RubberProduct Data Sheets SE 30, SE 33, SE 54 and SE 76; Silicon Compounds,Petrarch Systems, Inc. (1984); and in Encyclopedia of Polymer Scienceand Engineering, vol. 15, 2d ed., pp 204-308, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.(1989).

In one example, the filaments of the present invention may also comprisefrom about 0.05% to about 3% by weight on a dry filament basis of atleast one organic conditioning oil as a conditioning agent, either aloneor in combination with other conditioning agents, such as the silicones(described herein). Suitable conditioning oils include hydrocarbon oils,polyolefins, and fatty esters. Also suitable for use in the compositionsherein are the conditioning agents described by the Procter & GambleCompany in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,478, and 5,750,122. Also suitable foruse herein are those conditioning agents described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,529,586, 4,507,280, 4,663,158, 4,197,865, 4,217, 914, 4,381,919, and4,422, 853, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

Humectants

The filaments of the present invention may contain one or morehumectants. The humectants herein are selected from the group consistingof polyhydric alcohols, water soluble alkoxylated nonionic polymers, andmixtures thereof. The humectants, when used, may be present in thefilaments at a level from about 0.1% to about 20% and/or from about 0.5%to about 5% by weight on a dry filament basis.

Suspending Agents

The filaments of the present invention may further comprise a suspendingagent at concentrations effective for suspending water-insolublematerial in dispersed form in the compositions or for modifying theviscosity of the composition. Such concentrations of suspending agentsrange from about 0.1% to about 10% and/or from about 0.3% to about 5.0%by weight on a dry filament basis.

Non-limiting examples of suitable suspending agents include anionicpolymers and nonionic polymers (e.g., vinyl polymers, acyl derivatives,long chain amine oxides, and mixtures thereof, alkanol amides of fattyacids, long chain esters of long chain alkanol amides, glyceryl esters,primary amines having a fatty alkyl moiety having at least about 16carbon atoms, secondary amines having two fatty alkyl moieties eachhaving at least about 12 carbon atoms). Examples of suspending agentsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,855.

Enzymes

One or more enzymes may be present in the filaments of the presentinvention. Non-limiting examples of suitable enzymes include proteases,amylases, lipases, cellulases, carbohydrases including mannanases andendoglucanases, pectinases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, xylanases,phopholipases, esterases, cutinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases,phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases,penosanases, malanases, glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluraonidases,chrondroitinases, laccases, and mixtures thereof.

Enzymes may be included in the filaments of the present invention for avariety of purposes, including but not limited to removal ofprotein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains fromsubstrates, for the prevention of refugee dye transfer in fabriclaundering, and for fabric restoration. In one example, the filaments ofthe present invention may include proteases, amylases, lipases,cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof of any suitable origin,such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin.Selections of the enzymes utilized are influenced by factors such aspH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, and stability toother additives, such as active agents, for example builders, presentwithin the filaments. In one example, the enzyme is selected from thegroup consisting of: bacterial enzymes (for example bacterial amylasesand/or bacterial proteases), fungal enzymes (for example fungalcellulases), and mixtures thereof.

When present in the filaments of the present invention, the enzymes maybe present at levels sufficient to provide a “cleaning-effectiveamount”. The term “cleaning effective amount” refers to any amountcapable of producing a cleaning, stain removal, soil removal, whitening,deodorizing, or freshness improving effect on substrates such asfabrics, dishware and the like. In practical terms for currentcommercial preparations, typical amounts are up to about 5 mg by weight,more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of thefilament and/or fiber of the present invention. Stated otherwise, thefilaments of the present invention will typically comprise from about0.001% to about 5% and/or from about 0.01% to about 3% and/or from about0.01% to about 1% by weight on a dry filament basis.

One or more enzymes may be applied to the filament and/or nonwoven weband/or film after the filament and/or nonwoven web and/or film areproduced.

A range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into thefilament-forming composition of the present invention, which may be asynthetic detergent composition, is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A; WO9307260 A; WO 8908694 A; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,553,139; 4,101,457; and U.S.Pat. No. 4,507,219.

Enzyme Stabilizing System

When enzymes are present in the filaments and/or fibers of the presentinvention, an enzyme stabilizing system may also be included in thefilaments. Enzymes may be stabilized by various techniques. Non-limitingexamples of enzyme stabilization techniques are disclosed andexemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,600,319 and 3,519,570; EP 199,405, EP200,586; and WO 9401532 A.

In one example, the enzyme stabilizing system may comprise calciumand/or magnesium ions.

The enzyme stabilizing system may be present in the filaments of thepresent invention at a level of from about 0.001% to about 10% and/orfrom about 0.005% to about 8% and/or from about 0.01% to about 6% byweight on a dry filament basis. The enzyme stabilizing system can be anystabilizing system which is compatible with the enzymes present in thefilaments. Such an enzyme stabilizing system may be inherently providedby other formulation actives, or be added separately, e.g., by theformulator or by a manufacturer of enzymes. Such enzyme stabilizingsystems may, for example, comprise calcium ion, magnesium ion, boricacid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, andmixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilizationproblems.

Builders

The filaments of the present invention may comprise one or morebuilders. Non-limiting examples of suitable builders include zeolitebuilders, aluminosilicate builders, silicate builders, phosphatebuilders, citric acid, citrates, nitrilo triacetic acid, nitrilotriacetate, polyacrylates, acrylate/maleate copolymers, and mixturesthereof.

In one example, a builder selected from the group consisting of:aluminosilicates, silicates, and mixtures thereof, may be included inthe filaments of the present invention. The builders may be included inthe filaments to assist in controlling mineral, especially calciumand/or magnesium hardness in wash water or to assist in the removal ofparticulate soils from surfaces. Also suitable for use herein aresynthesized crystalline ion exchange materials or hydrates thereofhaving chain structure and a composition represented by the followinggeneral Formula I an anhydride form: x(M₂O).ySiO₂.zM′O wherein M is Naand/or K, M′ is Ca and/or Mg; y/x is 0.5 to 2.0 and z/x is 0.005 to 1.0as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,711.

Non-limiting examples of other suitable builders that may be included inthe filaments include phosphates and polyphosphates, for example thesodium salts thereof; carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates andcarbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonate;organic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylates for examplewater-soluble nonsurfactant carboxylates in acid, sodium, potassium oralkanolammonium salt form, as well as oligomeric or water-soluble lowmolecular weight polymer carboxylates including aliphatic and aromatictypes; and phytic acid. These builders may be complemented by borates,e.g., for pH-buffering purposes, or by sulfates, for example sodiumsulfate and any other fillers or carriers which may be important to theengineering of stable surfactant and/or builder-containing filaments ofthe present invention.

Still other builders may be selected from polycarboxylates, for examplecopolymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid,and copolymers of acrylic acid and/or maleic acid and other suitableethylenic monomers with various types of additional functionalities.

Builder level can vary widely depending upon end use. In one example,the filaments of the present invention may comprise at least 1% and/orfrom about 1% to about 30% and/or from about 1% to about 20% and/or fromabout 1% to about 10% and/or from about 2% to about 5% by weight on adry fiber basis of one or more builders.

Clay Soil Removal/Anti-Redeposition Agents

The filaments of the present invention may contain water-solubleethoxylated amines having clay soil removal and anti-redepositionproperties. Such water-soluble ethoxylated amines may be present in thefilaments of the present invention at a level of from about 0.01% toabout 10.0% and/or from about 0.01% to about 7% and/or from about 0.1%to about 5% by weight on a dry filament basis of one or morewater-soluble ethoxylates amines Non-limiting examples of suitable claysoil removal and antiredeposition agents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,597,898; 548,744; 4,891,160; European Patent Application Nos. 111,965;111,984; 112,592; and WO 95/32272.

Polymeric Soil Release Agent

The filaments of the present invention may contain polymeric soilrelease agents, hereinafter “SRAs.” If utilized, SRA's will generallycomprise from about 0.01% to about 10.0% and/or from about 0.1% to about5% and/or from about 0.2% to about 3.0% by weight on a dry filamentbasis.

SRAs typically have hydrophilic segments to hydrophilize the surface ofhydrophobic fibers such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segmentsto deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto throughcompletion of washing and rinsing cycles thereby serving as an anchorfor the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurringsubsequent to treatment with SRA to be more easily cleaned in laterwashing procedures.

SRAs can include, for example, a variety of charged, e.g., anionic oreven cationic (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447), as well as non-chargedmonomer units and structures may be linear, branched or evenstar-shaped. They may include capping moieties which are especiallyeffective in controlling molecular weight or altering the physical orsurface-active properties. Structures and charge distributions may betailored for application to different fiber or textile types and forvaried detergent or detergent additive products. Non-limiting examplesof SRAs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,451; 4,711,730; 4,721,580;4,702,857; 4,877,896; 3,959,230; 3,893,929; 4,000,093; 5,415,807;4,201,824; 4,240,918; 4,525,524; 4,201,824; 4,579,681; and 4,787,989;European Patent Application 0 219 048; 279,134 A; 457,205 A; and DE2,335,044.

Polymeric Dispersing Agents

Polymeric dispersing agents can advantageously be utilized in thefilaments of the present invention at levels from about 0.1% to about 7%and/or from about 0.1% to about 5% and/or from about 0.5% to about 4% byweight on a dry filament basis, especially in the presence of zeoliteand/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymeric dispersing agentsmay include polymeric polycarboxylates and polyethylene glycols,although others known in the art can also be used. For example, a widevariety of modified or unmodified polyacrylates, polyacrylate/mealeates,or polyacrylate/methacrylates are highly useful. It is believed, thoughit is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersingagents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used incombination with other builders (including lower molecular weightpolycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition, particulate soil releasepeptization, and anti-redeposition. Non-limiting examples of polymericdispersing agents are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,067, European PatentApplication No. 66915, EP 193,360, and EP 193,360.

Alkoxylated Polyamine Polymers

Alkoxylated polyamines may be included in the filaments of the presentinvention for providing soil suspending, grease cleaning, and/orparticulate cleaning. Such alkoxylated polyamines include but are notlimited to ethoxylated polyethyleneimines, ethoxylated hexamethylenediamines, and sulfated versions thereof. Polypropoxylated derivatives ofpolyamines may also be included in the filaments of the presentinvention. A wide variety of amines and polyaklyeneimines can bealkoxylated to various degrees, and optionally further modified toprovide the abovementioned benefits. A useful example is 600 g/molpolyethyleneimine core ethoxylated to 20 EO groups per NH and isavailable from BASF.

Alkoxylated Polycarboxylate Polymers

Alkoxylated polycarboxylates such as those prepared from polyacrylatesmay be included in the filaments of the present invention to provideadditional grease removal performance. Such materials are described inWO 91/08281 and PCT 90/01815. Chemically, these materials comprisepolyacrylates having one ethoxy side-chain per every 7-8 acrylate units.The side-chains are of the formula —(CH₂CH₂O).(CH₂).CH₃ wherein m is 2-3and n is 6-12. The side-chains are ester-linked to the polyacrylate“backbone” to provide a “comb” polymer type structure. The molecularweight can vary, but is typically in the range of about 2000 to about50,000. Such alkoxylated polycarboxylates can comprise from about 0.05%to about 10% by weight on a dry filament basis.

Amphilic Graft Co-Polymers

The filaments of the present invention may include one or more amphilicgraft co-polymers. An example of a suitable amphilic graft co-polymercomprises (i) a polyethyelene glycol backbone; and (ii) and at least onependant moiety selected from polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol andmixtures thereof. A non-limiting example of a commercially availableamphilic graft co-polymer is Sokalan HP22, supplied from BASF.

Dissolution Aids

The filaments of the present invention may incorporate dissolution aidsto accelerate dissolution when the filament contains more the 40%surfactant to mitigate formation of insoluble or poorly solublesurfactant aggregates that can sometimes form or surfactant compositionsare used in cold water. Non-limiting examples of dissolution aidsinclude sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride, potassiumsulfate, magnesium chloride, and magnesium sulfate.

Ingestible Active Agents

The filaments of the present invention may comprise one or moreingestible active agents. In one example, the ingestible active agentsmay comprise one or more health care active agents.

Health Care Active Agents

In one example, one or more health care actives (health care activeagents) may be uniformly distributed or substantially uniformlydistributed throughout the filament. In another example, one or morehealth care actives may be distributed as discrete regions within thefilament. In still another example, at least one health care active isdistributed uniformly or substantially uniformly throughout the filamentand at least another health care active is distributed as one or morediscrete regions within the filament. In still yet another example, atleast one health care active is distributed as one or more discreteregions within the filament and at least another health care active isdistributed as one or more discrete regions different from the firstdiscrete regions within the filament.

The one or more health care actives can include respiratory agents,gastrointestinal agents, central nervous system (CNS) agents,anti-infective agents, nutritional agents, overall wellbeing agents andcombinations thereof. The one or more health care actives of the presentinvention can also be selected from the group consisting of delayeddelivery health care actives, extended delivery health care actives,immediate delivery health care actives, targeted delivery health careactives, and combinations thereof. In one example, one or more healthcare actives are encapsulated. In one example the health care active isselected from the group consisting of dextromethorphan, fexofenadine,famotidine, naproxen, vitamin B₉, and combinations thereof. The personalhealth care articles of the present invention may also treat one or morehealth conditions. Non-limiting examples of health conditions caninclude respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, CNSconditions, pathogenic infections, nutritional deficiencies, andcombinations thereof.

The personal health care articles of the present invention may alsoprovide one or more health benefits. Non-limiting examples of healthbenefits can include respiratory benefits, gastrointestinal benefits,CNS benefits, anti-infection benefits, nutritional benefits, overallwellbeing benefits, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the health care actives wherein the health care activescomprise particles. The particles of the health care article are lessthan about 1 μm, in another example the particles are less than about750 nanometers (nm), in a different example less than about 500 nm, inyet another example less than about 250 nm, in another example less thanabout 100 nm, in yet another example less than about 50 nm, in anotherexample less than about 25 nm, in another example less than about 10 nm,in another example less than about 5 nm, and in yet another example lessthan about 1 nm.

All health care actives may be present from about 10% to about 90%, byweight on a dry filament basis, in another example from about 15% toabout 80%, by weight on a dry filament basis, in a different examplefrom about 20% to about 75%, by weight on a dry filament basis, inanother example from about 25% to about 70%, by weight on a dry filamentbasis, in a different example from about 30% to about 60%, by weight ona dry filament basis, and in another example from about 35% to about60%, by weight on a dry filament basis. In another example, the filamentcomprises greater than about 10%, by weight on a dry filament basis,health care actives, in yet another example greater than about 15%, byweight on a dry filament basis, health care actives, in another example,greater than about 25%, by weight on a dry filament basis, health careactives, in still another example greater than 35%, by weight on a dryfilament basis, health care actives, in another example greater thanabout 40%, by weight on a dry filament basis, health care actives, inanother example greater than about 45%, by weight on a dry filamentbasis, health care actives, an in yet another example greater than about50%, by weight on a dry filament basis, health care actives.

Respiratory Agents

In an example one or more health care actives can be a respiratoryagent. Non-limiting examples of respiratory agents can include nasaldecongestants, mucolytics, expectorants, antihistamines, non-narcoticantitussives, demulcents, anesthetics, plant-derived respiratory agents,and combinations thereof. Respiratory agents may be used to treatrespiratory conditions. Non-limiting examples of respiratory conditionscan include influenza, the common cold, pneumonia, bronchitis, and otherviral infections; pneumonia, bronchitis, and other bacterial infections;allergies; sinusitis; rhinitis; and combinations thereof. Respiratoryagents may provide a respiratory benefit. Non-limiting examples ofrespiratory benefits can include treating, respiratory symptoms.Non-limiting examples of respiratory symptoms include nasal congestion,chest congestion, rhinorrhea, coughing, sneezing, headache, body aches,fever, fatigue or malaise, sore throat, difficulty breathing, sinuspressure, sinus pain, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of decongestants can include phenylephrine,1-desoxyephedrine, ephedrine, propylhexedrine, pseudoephedrine,phenylpropanolamine, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting mucolytics can include ambroxol, bromhexine,N-acetylcysteine, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting expectorants can include guaifenesin, terpin hydrate, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of antihistamines can include chlorpheniramine,diphenhydramine, triprolidine, clemastine, pheniramine, brompheniramine,dexbrompheniramine, loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine, amlexanox,alkylamine derivatives, cromolyn, acrivastine, ibudilast, bamipine,ketotifen, nedocromil, omalizumab, dimethindene, oxatomide, pemirolast,pyrrobutamine, pentigetide, thenaldine, picumast, tolpropamine,ramatroban, repirinast, suplatast tosylate aminoalkylethers, tazanolast,bromodiphenhydramine, tranilast, carbinoxamine, traxanox,chlorphenoxamine, diphenylpyaline, embramine, p-methyldiphenhydramine,moxastine, orphenadrine, phenyltoloxamine, setastine, ethylenediaminederivatives, chloropyramine, chlorothen, methapyrilene, pyrilamine,talastine, thenyldiamine, thonzylamine hydrochloride, tripelennamine,piperazines, chlorcyclizine, clocinizine, homochlorcyclizine,hydroxyzine, tricyclics, phenothiazines, mequitazine, promethazine,thiazinamium methylsulfate, azatadine, cyproheptadine, deptropine,desloratadine, isothipendyl, olopatadine, rupatadine, antazoline,astemizole, azelastine, bepotastine, clemizole, ebastine, emedastine,epinastine, levocabastine, mebhydroline, mizolastine, phenindamine,terfenadine, tritoqualine, and combinations thereof. In one example, thehealth care active can be fexofenadine.

Non-limiting examples of antitussives can include benzonatate,chlophedianol, dextromethorphan, levodropropizine, and combinationsthereof. In one example the health care active can be dextromethorphan.

Non-limiting examples of demulcents can include glycerin, honey, pectin,gelatin, liquid sugar, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of anesthetics can include menthol, phenol,benzocaine, lidocaine, hexylresorcinol, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of plant-derived respiratory agents can includeandrographis (Andrographis paniculata), garlic (Allium sativum L.),Eleutherococcus senticosus, a guaiacol component (from oils of cassia(Cinnamomum aromaticum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromaticum,Eugenia caryophyllata), or cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomumverum, Cinnamomum loureiroi, Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum tamala,Cinnamomum burmannii)), borage seed oil (Borago officinalis), sage(Salvia officinalis, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Salvia lavandulifolia),astragalus (Astragalus membraneceus), boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum),chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile), cordyceps(Cordyceps sinensis), echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia DC, Echinaceapallida, Echinacea purpurea), elder (Sambucas nigra L.), euphorbia,ginseng (American ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean redginseng, Panax ginseng: Panax ssp. Including P. ginseng C.C. Meyer, andP. quinquefolius L.), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.), greatercelandine (Chelidonium majus), horseradish (Armoracia rusticana,Cochlearia armoracia), maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) mistletoe(Visvum album L.), geranium (Pelargonium sidoides),peppermint/peppermint oil (Mentha×peperita L.), propolis, slippery elm(Ulmus rubra Muhl, Ulmus fulva Michx), Sorrel (Rumex acetosa L., Rumexacetosella L.), thyme/thymus extract (Thymus vulgaris L.), wild indigo(Baptisia australis), quercetin (a flavanol), and combinations thereof.

Gastrointestinal Agents

In one example the one or more health care actives can be agastrointestinal agent. Non-limiting examples of gastrointestinal agentscan include anti-diarrheals, lower gastrointestinal agents, laxatives,anti-emetics, antacids, anti-flattulents, H₂ receptor antagonists,proton pump inhibitors, lipase inhibitors, rafting agents, probiotics,prebiotics, dietary fiber, enzymes, plant-derived gastrointestinalagents, anesthetics, and combinations thereof. Gastrointestinal agentsmay be used to treat gastrointestinal conditions. Non-limiting examplesof gastrointestinal conditions can include, gastroesophogeal refluxdisease, gastritis, peptic ulcers, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome,colitis, Crohn's disease, Barrett's esophagus, gastrinoma, diarrhea,indigestion, constipation, obesity, pouchitis, diverticulitis,enteritis, enterocolitis, dysphagia, inflamed hemorrhoids, foodpoisoning and other bacterial infections, influenza and other viralinfections, and combinations thereof. Gastrointestinal agents mayprovide gastrointestinal benefits. Non-limiting examples ofgastrointestinal benefits can include restoring digestive balance,treating gastrointestinal symptoms, and combinations thereof.Non-limiting examples of gastrointestinal symptoms can include diarrhea,constipation, upset stomach, vomiting, sour stomach, cramps, gas,bloating, stomach ache, sore throat, difficulty swallowing,unintentional weight loss, visceral hypersensitivity, feeling offullness, indigestion, nausea, heartburn, urgency to have a bowelmovement, lack of appetite, regurgitation, belching, flatulence, bloodin stool, dehydration, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of anti-diarrheals can include loperamide,pharmaceutically acceptable salts of bismuth, attapulgite, activatedcharcoal, bentonite, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of lower gastrointestingal agents can includemesalamine, olsalazine sodium, balsalazide disodium, sulfasalazine,tegaserod maleate, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of laxatives can include bisacodyl, cascarasagrada, castor oil, dietary fiber, resistant starch, resistantmaltodextrin, docusate calcium, docusate sodium, lactulose, sennosides,mineral oil, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 3350, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of anti-emetics can include cyclizine, meclizine,buclizine, dimenhydrinate, scopolamine, trimethobenzamide, dronabinol,5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, aprepitant, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of antacids can include sodium bicarbonate, sodiumcarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide,aluminum hydroxide, magaldrate, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of anti-flatulents can include simethicone.

Non-limiting examples of H₂ receptor antagonists can include famotidine,ranitidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, and combinations thereof. In oneexample, the health care active can be famotidine.

Non-limiting examples of proton pump inhibitors can include omeprazole,lansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and combinationsthereof.

Non-limiting examples of lipase inhibitors can include orlistat.

The filament of the present invention may comprise rafting agents.Non-limiting examples of rafting agents can include alginates,fenugreek, guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and combinations thereof.

The filament of the present invention may comprise probiotics.Non-limiting examples of probiotics can include microogranisms of thegenera Bacillus, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus (e.g.,Enterococcus faecium), Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Saccharomyces, andcombinations thereof. In another example of the invention, the probioticis selected from bacteria of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus,and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of microorganisms can include strains ofStreptococcus lactis, Streptococcus cremoris, Streptococcusdiacetylactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus,Lactobacillus acidophilus (e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus strain),Lactobacillus helveticus, Lactobacillus bifidus, Lactobacillus casei,Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus,Lactobacillus delbruekii, Lactobacillus thermophilus, Lactobacillusfermentii, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri,Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacteriumbifidum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum,Saccharomyces boulardii, Pediococcus cerevisiae, Lactobacillussalivarius, Bacillus coagulans, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of prebiotics can include carob bean, citruspectin, rice bran, locust bean, fructooligosaccharide, oligofructose,galactooligosaccharide, citrus pulp, mannanoligosaccharides,arabinogalactan, lactosucrose, glucomannan, polydextrose, apple pomace,tomato pomace, carrot pomace, cassia gum, gum karaya, gum talha, gumarabic, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of dietary fibers can include, but are not limitedto inulin, agar, beta-glucans, chitins, dextrins, lignin, cellulose,modified cellulose, cellulose ethers, hemicelluloses, non-starchpolysaccharides, reduced starch, polycarbophil, partially hydrolyzedguar gum, wheat dextrin, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the dietary fiber comprises glucose polymers, preferablythose which have branched chains. Among such suitable dietary fibers isone marketed under the tradename “Fibersol2”, commercially availablefrom Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Itami City, Hyogo, Japan.

Other non-limiting examples of suitable dietary fibers can includeoligosaccharides, such as inulin and its hydrolysis products commonlyknown as fructooligosaccharides, galacto-oligosaccharides,xylo-oligosaccharides, oligo derivatives of starch, and combinationsthereof.

The dietary fiber can be provided in any suitable form. A non-limitingexample is in the form of a plant material which contains the fiber.Non-limiting examples of suitable plant materials can include asparagus,artichoke, onion, wheat, chicory, beet pulp, residues of these plantmaterials, and combinations thereof.

A non-limiting example of a dietary fiber from such a plant material isinulin extract from extract of chicory. Suitable inulin extracts can beobtained from Orafti SA of Belgium under the trademark Raftiline®.Alternatively the dietary fiber can be in the form of afructo-oligosaccharide which can be obtained from Orafti SA of Belgiumunder the trademark Raftilose®. Alternatively, an oliogo-saccharide canbe obtained by hydrolyzing inulin, by enzymatic methods, or by usingmicroorganisms as will be understood by those of skill in the art.Alternatively the dietary fiber can be inulin and/or de-sugared inulinavailable from Cargill Health & Food Technologies, Wayzata, Minn., USA,or from Cosucra SA, Warcoing, Belgium.

In another example, the dietary fiber can be psyllium, available, whichcan be obtained from. The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio,under the trademark Metamucil®.

The filament of the present invention can comprise enzymes which caninclude purified enzymes, partially purified enzymes, extractscontaining enzymes, and combinations thereof. Enzymes can be producedsynthetically, through genetic modification, or they can be producednaturally by plants, animals, or microorganisms. In some examples theenzymes are produced by plants such as peppermint, pineapple, or papaya.In other examples the enzymes are produced by fungi such as Aspergillus,Candida, Saccharomyces, and Rhizopus. In another example the enzymes areproduced by an animal such as a pig or bovine. In certain examples, theenzymes help support a more complete digestion of food forgastrointestinal health, regularity, and normal bowel function. In otherexamples, the enzymes can provide wellness benefits or health benefits.

Non-limiting examples of enzymes can include, but are not limited to,proteases, amylases, lipases, and combinations thereof.

Other non-limiting examples of enzymes can include bromelain, pepsin,papain, amyloglucosidase, glucoamylase, malt diastase, maltase, lactase,α-galactosidase, β-glucanase, cellusase, hemilase, hemicellulase,cellulase, xylanase, invertase, pectinase, pancreatin, rennet, phytase,pancrelipase, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of plant-derived gastrointestinal agents caninclude materials from the Ginger family (Zigiberaceae), licorice root(Glycyrrhizin glabra), marshmallow root (Althea officinalis, Althearadix), fennel oil, fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), caraway oil,caraway seed (Carum carvi, Carvi fructus, Carvi aetheroleum), lemon balm(Melissae folium, Melissa), horehound herb (Murrubii herba), andflaxseed alpha-linoleic acid (Lini semen).

Central Nervous System Agents

In one example the one or more health care actives can be a centralnervous system (CNS) agent. Non-limiting examples of CNS agents caninclude sleep aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates,opioid analgesics, miscellaneous central nervous system stimulants,anti-emetics, and combinations thereof. Anti-emetics are describedherein. CNS agents may be used to treat CNS conditions. Non-limitingexamples of CNS conditions can include insomnia, restless leg syndrome,narcolepsy, pain, tobacco dependence, depression, attention deficitdisorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and combinationsthereof. Non-limiting examples of pain can include headaches, migraines,arthritis, post-operative pain, dental pain, and combinations thereof.CNS agents may provide CNS benefits. Non-limiting examples of CNSbenefits can include increasing alertness, restoring normal circadianrhythm, treating CNS symptoms, and combinations thereof. Non-limitingexamples of CNS symptoms can include insomnia, abnormal circadianrhythm, pain, inflammation, fatigue, drowsiness, difficultyconcentrating, irritation, vomiting, nausea, and combinations thereof.

The filament of the present invention can comprise sleep aids.Non-limiting examples of sleep aids can include aolpidem, eszopiclone,zaleplon, doxepin, doxylamine, melatonin, ramelteon, estazolam,flurazepam hydrochloride, quazepam, temazepam, triazolam, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)can include acetaminophen, celecoxib, diclofenac, etodolac, fenoprofencalcium, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, meloxicam, naproxen,tolmetin sodium, indomethacin, and combinations thereof. In one example,the health care active can be naproxen.

Non-limiting examples of salicylates can include aspirin, magnesiumsalicylate, salsalate, diflunisal, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of opioid analgesics can include codeine,hydromorphone hydrochloride, methadone hydrochloride, morphine sulfate,oxycodone hydrochloride, and combinations thereof.

The filament of the present invention can comprise miscelleanous centralnervous system stimulants. Non-limiting examples of miscellaneous CNSstimulants can include nicotine, picrotoxin, pentylenetetrazol, andcombinations thereof.

Anti-Infective Agents

In one example the one or more health care actives can be ananti-infective agent. Non-limiting examples of anti-infective agents caninclude antivirals, antimicrobials, and combinations thereof.Anti-infective agents can be used to treat pathogenic infections.Non-limiting examples of pathogenic infections can include tuberculosis,pneumonia, food poisoning, tetanus, typhoid fever, diphtheria, syphilis,meningitis, sepsis, leprosy, whooping cough, lyme disease, gangrene,urinary tract infections, traveler's diarrhea, methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA), gonorrhea, scarlet fever, cholera, herpes,hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza, measles,mumps, human papillomavirus, polio virus, giardia, malaria, tapeworm,roundworm, and combinations thereof. Anti-infective agents may provideanti-infective benefits. Non-limiting examples of anti-infectivebenefits can include treat pathogenic infection symptoms. Non-limitingexamples of pathogenic infection symptoms can include fever,inflammation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abnormal white bloodcell count, diarrhea, rash, skin lesions, sore throat, headache, stomachache, muscle pain, fatigue, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing,burning during urination, and combinations thereof. Non-limitingexamples of antivirals can include ganciclovir, valganciclovir,acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir, amantadine, ribavirin, rimantidineHCl, oseltamivir phosphate, adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of antimicrobials can include nitroimidazoleantibiotics, tetracyclines, penicillin-based antibiotics such asamoxicillin, cephalosporins, carbopenems, aminoglycosides, macrolideantibiotics, lincosamide antibiotics, 4-quinolones, fluoroquinolones,rifamycins, rifaximi, macrolides, nitrofurantoin, and combinationsthereof.

Nutritional Agents

In one example the one or more health care actives can be a nutritionalagent. Non-limiting examples of nutritional agents can include vitamins,minerals and electrolytes, dietary fiber, fatty acids, and combinationsthereof. Nutritional agents can be used to treat nutritionaldeficiencies. Non-limiting examples of nutritional deficiencies caninclude a depressed immune system, birth defects in newborns, heartdisease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, eye diseases, nightblindness,osteoporosis, beriberi, pellagra, scurvy, rickets, alcoholism, irritablebowel syndrome (IBS), low hormone levels, hypertension, and combinationsthereof. Nutritional agents may provide a nutritional benefit.Non-limiting examples of nutritional benefits can include diseaseprevention, lowering cholesterol, increased energy and alertness,preventing aging, restoring digestive balance, and treat nutritionaldeficiency symptoms and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples ofnutritional deficiency symptoms can include fatigue, muscle weakness,irritability, hair loss, unintentional weight loss, unintentional weightgain, slow wound healing, decreased mental ability, stress, bonefractures, decreased eyesight, decreased rate of wound healing,hyperactivity, dermatitis, muscle cramping, cardiac arrhythmias,depression, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of vitamins can include vitamin C, vitamin D₂(cholecalciferol), vitamin D₃ (ergocalciferol), vitamin A, vitamin B₁(thiamine), vitamin B₂ (riboflavin), vitamin B₃ (niacin), B₅(pantothenic acid), vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine),vitamin B₇ (biotin), vitamin B₉ (folic acid), Vitamin B₁₂(cyanocobalmin), vitamin E, and combinations thereof. In one example,the health care active can be vitamin B₉.

Non-limiting examples of minerals and electrolytes can include zinc,iron, calcium, iodine, copper, magnesium, potassium, chromium, selenium,and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants can include, but are not limitedto, polyphenols, superfruits, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of health care actives containing polyphenols caninclude tea extract, coffee extract, turmeric extract, grapeseedextract, blueberry extract, and combinations thereof. Nonlimitingexamples of superfruits can include açai, blueberry, cranberry, grape,guarana, mangosteen, noni, pomegranate, seabuckthorn, wolfberry (goji),acerola (Barbados cherry, Malpighia emarginata, Malpighia glabra),bayberry (yumberry, Myrica rubra), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), blackraspberry (Rubus occidentalis), black chokeberry (“aronia”, Aroniamelanocarpa), blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum), camu camu (Myrciaria dubia),sour (tart) cherry (Prunus cerasus), cupuacu (Theobroma grandiflorum),durian (Durio kutejensis), elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, Sambucusnigra), red guava (Psidium guajava, many species), Indian gooseberry(amalaka, amla, Phyllanthus emblica), kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa),lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), lychee (Litchi chinensis),muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia), papaya (Carica papaya), pomelo(Citrus maxima), saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia, Nutt), tamarind(Tamarindus indica), wild cherry (Prunus avium) andyuzu (Citrusichangensis, C. reticulata) and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of fatty acids can include Omega-3 fatty acids,Omega-6 fatty acids, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of Omega-3 fatty acids can include alpha-linolenicacid, alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosatrienoic acid,eicosatetraenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid,docosahexaenoic acid, tetracosapentaenoic acid, tetracosahexaenoic acid,and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of Omega-6 fatty acids can include linoleic acid,gamma-linolenic acid, eicosadienoic acid, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid,arachidonic acid, docosadienoic acid, adrenic acid, docosapentaenoicacid, and combinations thereof.

Overall Wellbeing Agents

In one example the one or more health care actives can be an overallwellbeing agent. Non-limiting examples of overall wellbeing agents caninclude energy boosting agents, probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fiber,enzymes, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, antioxidants, fatty acids,and combinations thereof. Probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fiber,enzymes, vitamins, minerals and electrolyntes, antioxidants, and fattyacids are described herein.

Overall wellbeing agents can be used to provide one or more overallwellbeing benefits. Non-limiting examples of overall wellbeing benefitscan include improving and/or maintaining respiratory health,gastrointestinal health, immune health, mobility and joint health,cardiovascular health, skin health, oral/dental health, hair health, eyehealth, reproductive health including menstrual health, ear, nose andthroat health, mental health, energy, normal blood glucose levels,muscle strength, and combinations thereof.

The filament of the present invention can comprise energy boostingagents. Energy boosting actives may provide mammals with more energy ora perception of more energy.

Non-limiting examples of energy boosting agents can include, but are notlimited to, caffeine, green and black tea, taurine, rhodiola rosea,Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), CoQ10, L-carnitine,L-Theanine, guarana (Paullinia cupana), Schizandra chinensis, yerba mate(Ilex paraguariensis), goji berry/Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum and L.chinense), quercetin (a plant-derived flavonol), amalaki/Indiangooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), açai (from genus Euterpe), maca(Lepidium meyenii), ginkgo biloba, glucuronolactone, panax ginseng (fromspecies within Panax, a genus of 11 species of slow-growing perennialplants with fleshy roots, in the family Araliaceae), Echinacea (genus ofnine species of herbaceous plants in the Family Asteraceae), rooibos(Aspalathus linearis), DHEA, aromas and aromatherapy, noni (Morindacitrifolia), mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), and combinations thereof.

Excipients

The filament and/or nonwoven web of the present invention can includeone or more excipients. Non-limiting examples of excipients can includefilament-forming materials, aesthetic agents, and combinations thereof.Non-limiting examples filament-forming materials can include backbonematerials, extensional aids, rheology modifiers, crosslinking agents,and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of aesthetic agents caninclude flavors, colorants, sensates (cooling and/or heating agents),sweeteners, salivation agents, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of other ingestible active agents includeessential oils such as antimicrobial and/or flavoring agents, salivastimulating agents, cooling agents, sweeteners, color agents, sulfurprecipitating agents, vitamins, minerals, dietary agents, medicinalagents, and mixtures thereof.

a. Flavoring Agents

The flavorings that can be used include those known to the skilledartisan, such as natural and artificial flavors. These flavorings may bechosen from synthetic flavor oils and flavoring aromatics, and/or oils,oleo resins and extracts derived from plants, leaves, flowers, fruitsand so forth, and combinations thereof. Representative flavor oilsinclude: spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, bayoil, thyme oil, cedar leaf oil, oil of nutmeg, oil of sage, and oil ofbitter almonds. Also useful are artificial, natural or synthetic fruitflavors such as vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cocoa and citrus oil,including lemon, orange, grape, lime and grapefruit and fruit essencesincluding apple, pear, peach, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, plum,pineapple, apricot and so forth. These flavorings can be usedindividually or in admixture. Commonly used flavors include mints suchas peppermint, artificial vanilla, cinnamon derivatives, and variousfruit flavors, whether employed individually or in admixture. Flavoringssuch as aldehydes and esters including cinnamyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde,citral, diethylacetal, dihydrocarvyl acetate, eugenyl formate,p-methylanisole, and so forth may also be used. Generally, any flavoringor food additive, such as those described in Chemicals Used in FoodProcessing, publication 1274 by the National Academy of Sciences, pages63-258, may be used. Further examples of aldehyde flavorings include,but are not limited to acetaldehyde (apple); benzaldehyde (cherry,almond); cinnamic aldehyde (cinnamon); citral, i.e., alpha citral(lemon, lime); neral, i.e. beta citral (lemon, lime); decanal (orange,lemon); ethyl vanillin (vanilla, cream); heliotropine, i.e., piperonal(vanilla, cream); vanillin (vanilla, cream); alpha-amyl cinnamaldehyde(spicy fruity flavors); butyraldehyde (butter, cheese); valeraldehyde(butter, cheese); citronellal (modifies, many types); decanal (citrusfruits); aldehyde C-8 (citrus fruits); aldehyde C-9 (citrus fruits);aldehyde C-12 (citrus fruits); 2-ethyl butyraldehyde (berry fruits);hexenal, i.e. trans-2 (berry fruits); tolyl aldehyde (cherry, almond);veratraldehyde (vanilla); 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal, i.e. melonal (melon);2-6-dimethyloctanal (green fruit); and 2-dodecenal (citrus, mandarin);cherry; grape; mixtures thereof; and the like.

b. Saliva Stimulating Agents

Non-limiting examples of saliva stimulating agents include food acidssuch as citric, lactic, malic, succinic, ascorbic, adipic, fumaric andtartaric acids.

c. Cooling Agents

Non-limiting examples of cooling agents, which may be an essential oil,include monomenthyl succinate, menthol (such as L-menthol), camphor,eucalyptus oil, lavender oil (such as Bulgarian Lavender Oil), thymol,methyl salicylate, and mixtures thereof.

d. Sweeteners

Non-limiting examples of suitable sweeteners that can be included in thefilaments of the present invention include both natural and artificialsweeteners. In one example, the sweetener is selected from the groupconsisting of:

A. water-soluble sweetening agents such as monosaccharides,disaccharides and polysaccharides such as xylose, ribose, glucose(dextrose), mannose, galactose, fructose (levulose), sucrose (sugar),maltose, invert sugar (a mixture of fructose and glucose derived fromsucrose), partially hydrolyzed starch, corn syrup solids,dihydrochalcones, monellin, steviosides, and glycyrrhizin;

B. water-soluble artificial sweeteners such as the soluble saccharinsalts, i.e., sodium or calcium saccharin salts, cyclamate salts, thesodium, ammonium or calcium salt of3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4-one-2,2-dioxide, the potassiumsalt of 3,4-dihydro-6-methyl-1,2,3-oxathiazine-4-one-2,2-dioxide(acesulfame-K), the free acid form of saccharin, and the like;

C. dipeptide based sweeteners, such as L-aspartic acid derivedsweeteners, such as L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (aspartame)and materials described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,131,L-alpha-aspartyl-N-(2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-thietanyl)-D-alaninamidehydrate, methyl esters of L-aspartyl-L-phenylglycerin andL-aspartyl-L-2,5,dihydrophenyl-glycine,L-aspartyl-2,5-dihydro-L-phenylalanine,L-aspartyl-L-(1-cyclohexyen)-alanine, and the like;

D. water-soluble sweeteners derived from naturally occurringwater-soluble sweeteners, such as a chlorinated derivative of ordinarysugar (sucrose), known, for example, under the product description ofsucralose; and

E. protein based sweeteners such as thaumatoccous danielli (Thaumatin Iand II), and mixtures thereof.

e. Sulfur Precipitating Agents (Malodor Reducing Agents)

Sulfur precipitating agents useful in the present invention includemetal salts such as copper salts and zinc salts. In one example, thesulfur precipitating agents are selected from the group consisting ofcopper gluconate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate, and mixtures thereof.

f. Medicinal Agents

Any suitable medicine or medicinal composition, prescription orover-the-counter, that is ingestible by an animal, such as a human, maybe delivered by a filament according to the present invention. Forexample, cough syrup or one or more of its ingredients may be deliveredby ingesting one or more filaments comprising the cough syrup or one ormore of its ingredients. Likewise, an upset stomach reliever such asPepto-BISMOL® or ingredients therein, such as bismuth subsalicylate, maybe delivered by a filament according to the present invention. Inaddition, antiseptics and/or antibacterial and/or antimicrobial forexample alcohol and/or acids may be delivered by a filament according tothe present invention.

g. Color Agents

The filaments of the present invention may comprise one or more coloragents or colorants. The color agents may be used in amounts effectiveto produce a desired color. The color agents useful in the presentinvention, include pigments such as titanium dioxide, natural foodcolors and dyes suitable for food, drug and cosmetic applications, andmixtures thereof. Some color agents (colorants) are known as FD&C dyesand lakes. In one example, the color agents are water-soluble.Non-limiting examples of suitable color agents include FD&C Blue No. 2,which is the disodium salt of 5,5-indigotindisulfonic acid, the dyeknown as Green No. 3 comprises a triphenylmethane dye and is themonosodium salt of 4-[4-N-ethyl-p-sulfobenzylamino)diphenyl-methylene]-[1-N-ethyl-N-p-sulfoniumbenzyl)-2,5-cyclo-hexadienimine], and mixtures thereof. A fullrecitation of other suitable FD&C and D&C dyes and their correspondingchemical structures may be found in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia ofChemical Technology, Volume 5, Pages 857-884, which text is accordinglyincorporated herein by reference.

Other Additives

A wide variety of other ingredients useful in the filaments can beincluded in the filaments. Non-limiting examples of such otheringredients include carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes orpigments, solvents, and solid or other liquid fillers, erythrosine,colliodal silica, waxes, probiotics, surfactin, aminocellulosicpolymers, Zinc Ricinoleate, perfume microcapsules, rhamnolipds,sophorolipids, glycopeptides, methyl ester sulfonates, methyl esterethoxylates, sulfonated estolides, cleavable surfactants, biopolymers,silicones, modified silicones, aminosilicones, deposition aids, locustbean gum, cationic hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, cationic guars,hydrotropes (especially cumenesulfonate salts, toluenesulfonate salts,xylenesulfonate salts, and naphalene salts), antioxidants, BHT, PVAparticle-encapsulated dyes or perfumes, pearlescent agents, effervescentagents, color change systems, silicone polyurethanes, opacifiers, tabletdisintegrants, biomass fillers, fast-dry silicones, glycol distearate,hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, hydrophobically modified cellulosepolymers or hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, starch perfume encapsulates,emulsified oils, bisphenol antioxidants, microfibrous cellulosestructurants, properfumes, styrene/acrylate polymers, triazines, soaps,superoxide dismutase, benzophenone protease inhibitors, functionalizedTiO2, dibutyl phosphate, silica perfume capsules, and other adjunctingredients, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, Tiron(1,2-diydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid),hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid,choline oxidase, pectate lyase, triarylmethane blue and violet basicdyes, methine blue and violet basic dyes, anthraquinone blue and violetbasic dyes, azo dyes basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66 basicblue 67, basic blue 71, basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet35, basic violet 38, basic violet 48, oxazine dyes, basic blue 3, basicblue 75, basic blue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141,Nile blue A and xanthene dye basic violet 10, an alkoxylatedtriphenylmethane polymeric colorant; an alkoxylated thiopene polymericcolorant; thiazolium dye, mica, titanium dioxide coated mica, bismuthoxychloride, and other actives.

The filaments of the present invention may also contain vitamins andamino acids such as: water soluble vitamins and their derivatives, watersoluble amino acids and their salts and/or derivatives, water insolubleamino acids viscosity modifiers, dyes, nonvolatile solvents or diluents(water soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, foam boosters,additional surfactants or nonionic cosurfactants, pediculocides, pHadjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, heat transfer agents,chelants, proteins, skin active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers,vitamins, niacinamide, caffeine and minoxidil.

The filaments of the present invention may also contain pigmentmaterials such as inorganic, nitroso, monoazo, disazo, carotenoid,triphenyl methane, triaryl methane, xanthene, quinoline, oxazine, azine,anthraquinone, indigoid, thionindigoid, quinacridone, phthalocianine,botanical, natural colors, including: water soluble components such asthose having C.I. Names. The compositions of the present invention mayalso contain antimicrobial agents which are useful as cosmetic biocides.

In one example, the filaments of the present invention may compriseprocessing aids and/or materials that provide a signal (visual, audible,smell, feel, taste) that identifies when one or more of the activeagents within the filament and/or fiber has been released from thefilament and/or fiber.

Buffer System

The filaments of the present invention may be formulated such that,during use in an aqueous cleaning operation, for example washing clothesor dishes, the wash water will have a pH of between about 5.0 and about12 and/or between about 7.0 and 10.5. In the case of a dishwashingoperation, the pH of the wash water typically is between about 6.8 andabout 9.0. In the case of washing clothes, the pH of the was watertypically is between 7 and 11. Techniques for controlling pH atrecommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids,etc., and are well known to those skilled in the art. These include theuse of sodium carbonate, citric acid or sodium citrate, monoethanolamine or other amines, boric acid or borates, and other pH-adjustingcompounds well known in the art.

Filaments useful as “low pH” detergent compositions are included in thepresent invention and are especially suitable for the surfactant systemsof the present invention and may provide in-use pH values of less than8.5 and/or less than 8.0 and/or less than 7.0 and/or less than 7.0and/or less than 5.5 and/or to about 5.0.

Dynamic in-wash pH profile filaments are included in the presentinvention. Such filaments may use wax-covered citric acid particles inconjunction with other pH control agents such that (i) 3 minutes aftercontact with water, the pH of the wash liquor is greater than 10; (ii)10 mins after contact with water, the pH of the wash liquor is less than9.5; (iii) 20 mins after contact with water, the pH of the wash liquoris less than 9.0; and (iv) optionally, wherein, the equilibrium pH ofthe wash liquor is in the range of from above 7.0 to 8.5.

Release of Active Agent

One or more active agents may be released from the film of the presentinvention when the film is exposed to a triggering condition. In oneexample, one or more active agents may be released from the film or apart of the film when the film or the part of the film loses itsidentity, in other words, loses its physical structure. For example, afilm loses its physical structure when the filament-forming materialdissolves, melts or undergoes some other transformative step such thatthe film structure is lost. In one example, the one or more activeagents are released from the film when the film's morphology changes.

In another example, one or more active agents may be released from thefilm or a part of the film when the film or the part of the film altersits identity, in other words, alters its physical structure rather thanloses its physical structure. For example, a film alters its physicalstructure when the filament-forming material swells, shrinks, lengthens,and/or shortens, but retains its filament-forming properties.

In another example, one or more active agents may be released from thefilm with the filament's morphology not changing (not losing or alteringits physical structure).

In one example, the film may release an active agent upon the film beingexposed to a triggering condition that results in the release of theactive agent, such as by causing the film to lose or alter its identityas discussed above. Non-limiting examples of triggering conditionsinclude exposing the film to a solvent, a polar solvent, such as alcoholand/or water, and/or a non-polar solvent, which may be sequential,depending upon whether the filament-forming material comprises a polarsolvent-soluble material and/or a non-polar solvent-soluble material;exposing the film to heat, such as to a temperature of greater than 75°F. and/or greater than 100° F. and/or greater than 150° F. and/orgreater than 200° F. and/or greater than 212° F.; exposing the film tocold, such as to a temperature of less than 40° F. and/or less than 32°F. and/or less than 0° F.;

exposing the film to a force, such as a stretching force applied by aconsumer using the film; and/or exposing the film to a chemicalreaction; exposing the film to a condition that results in a phasechange; exposing the film to a pH change and/or a pressure change and/ortemperature change; exposing the film to one or more chemicals thatresult in the film releasing one or more of its active agents; exposingthe film to ultrasonics; exposing the film to light and/or certainwavelengths; exposing the film to a different ionic strength; exposingthe film to mechanical action such as, but not limited to, agitation,tumbling, and/or crushing; and/or exposing the film to an active agentreleased from another film, filament and/or nonwoven web.

In one example, one or more active agents may be released from the filmsof the present invention when the films are subjected to a triggeringstep selected from the group consisting of: pre-treating stains on afabric article with the film; forming a wash liquour by contacting thefilm with water; tumbling the film in a dryer; heating the film in adryer; and combinations thereof.

Filament-Forming Composition

The filaments of the present invention are made from a filament-formingcomposition. The filament-forming composition is a polar-solvent-basedcomposition. In one example, the filament-forming composition is anaqueous composition comprising one or more filament-forming materialsand one or more active agents.

The filament-forming composition of the present invention may have ashear viscosity as measured according to the Shear Viscosity Test Methoddescribed herein of from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 25Pascal·Seconds and/or from about 2 Pascal·Seconds to about 20Pascal·Seconds and/or from about 3 Pascal·Seconds to about 10Pascal·Seconds, as measured at a shear rate of 3,000 sec⁻¹ and at theprocessing temperature (50° C. to 100° C.).

The filament-forming composition may be processed at a temperature offrom about 50° C. to about 100° C. and/or from about 65° C. to about 95°C. and/or from about 70° C. to about 90° C. when making filaments fromthe filament-forming composition.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise at least20% and/or at least 30% and/or at least 40% and/or at least 45% and/orat least 50% to about 90% and/or to about 85% and/or to about 80% and/orto about 75% by weight of one or more filament-forming materials, one ormore active agents, and mixtures thereof. The filament-formingcomposition may comprise from about 10% to about 80% by weight of apolar solvent, such as water.

The filament-forming composition may exhibit a Capillary Number of atleast 1 and/or at least 3 and/or at least 5 such that thefilament-forming composition can be effectively polymer processed into ahydroxyl polymer fiber.

The Capillary number is a dimensionless number used to characterize thelikelihood of this droplet breakup. A larger capillary number indicatesgreater fluid stability upon exiting the die. The Capillary number isdefined as follows:

${Ca} = \frac{V*\eta}{\sigma}$

V is the fluid velocity at the die exit (units of Length per Time),η is the fluid viscosity at the conditions of the die (units of Mass perLength*Time),σ is the surface tension of the fluid (units of mass per Time²). Whenvelocity, viscosity, and surface tension are expressed in a set ofconsistent units, the resulting Capillary number will have no units ofits own; the individual units will cancel out.

The Capillary number is defined for the conditions at the exit of thedie. The fluid velocity is the average velocity of the fluid passingthrough the die opening. The average velocity is defined as follows:

$V = \frac{{Vol}^{\prime}}{Area}$

Vol′=volumetric flowrate (units of Length³ per Time),Area=cross-sectional area of the die exit (units of Length).

When the die opening is a circular hole, then the fluid velocity can bedefined as

$V = \frac{{Vol}^{\prime}}{\pi*R^{2}}$

R is the radius of the circular hole (units of length).

The fluid viscosity will depend on the temperature and may depend of theshear rate. The definition of a shear thinning fluid includes adependence on the shear rate. The surface tension will depend on themakeup of the fluid and the temperature of the fluid.

In a fiber spinning process, the filaments need to have initialstability as they leave the die. The Capillary number is used tocharacterize this initial stability criterion. At the conditions of thedie, the Capillary number should be greater than 1 and/or greater than4.

In one example, the filament-forming composition exhibits a CapillaryNumber of from at least 1 to about 50 and/or at least 3 to about 50and/or at least 5 to about 30.

The filament-forming composition of the present invention may have ashear viscosity of from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 25Pascal·Seconds and/or from about 2 Pascal·Seconds to about 20Pascal·Seconds and/or from about 3 Pascal·Seconds to about 10 Pascal.Seconds, as measured at a shear rate of 3,000 sec⁻¹ and at theprocessing temperature (50° C. to 100° C.).

The filament-forming composition may be processed at a temperature offrom about 50° C. to about 100° C. and/or from about 65° C. to about 95°C. and/or from about 70° C. to about 90° C. when making fibers from thefilament-forming composition.

In one example, the non-volatile components of the spinning compositionmay comprise from about 20% and/or 30% and/or 40% and/or 45% and/or 50%to about 75% and/or 80% and/or 85% and/or 90%. The non-volatilecomponents may be composed of filament-forming materials, such asbackbone polymers, actives and combinations thereof. The volatilecomponent of the spinning composition will comprise the remainingpercentage and range from 10% to 80%.

The filament-forming composition may exhibit a Capillary Number of atleast 1 and/or at least 3 and/or at least 5 such that thefilament-forming composition can be effectively polymer processed into ahydroxyl polymer fiber.

The Capillary number is a dimensionless number used to characterize thelikelihood of this droplet breakup. A larger capillary number indicatesgreater fluid stability upon exiting the die. The Capillary number isdefined as follows:

${Ca} = \frac{V*\eta}{\sigma}$

V is the fluid velocity at the die exit (units of Length per Time),η is the fluid viscosity at the conditions of the die (units of Mass perLength*Time),σ is the surface tension of the fluid (units of mass per Time²). Whenvelocity, viscosity, and surface tension are expressed in a set ofconsistent units, the resulting Capillary number will have no units ofits own; the individual units will cancel out.

The Capillary number is defined for the conditions at the exit of thedie. The fluid velocity is the average velocity of the fluid passingthrough the die opening. The average velocity is defined as follows:

$V = \frac{{Vol}^{\prime}}{Area}$

Vol′=volumetric flowrate (units of Length³ per Time),Area=cross-sectional area of the die exit (units of Length).

When the die opening is a circular hole, then the fluid velocity can bedefined as

$V = \frac{{Vol}^{\prime}}{\pi*R^{2}}$

R is the radius of the circular hole (units of length).

The fluid viscosity will depend on the temperature and may depend of theshear rate. The definition of a shear thinning fluid includes adependence on the shear rate. The surface tension will depend on themakeup of the fluid and the temperature of the fluid.

In a filament spinning process, the filaments need to have initialstability as they leave the die. The Capillary number is used tocharacterize this initial stability criterion. At the conditions of thedie, the Capillary number should be greater than 1 and/or greater than4.

In one example, the filament-forming composition exhibits a CapillaryNumber of from at least 1 to about 50 and/or at least 3 to about 50and/or at least 5 to about 30.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise one ormore release agents and/or lubricants. Non-limiting examples of suitablerelease agents and/or lubricants include fatty acids, fatty acid salts,fatty alcohols, fatty esters, sulfonated fatty acid esters, fatty amineacetates and fatty amides, silicones, aminosilicones, fluoropolymers andmixtures thereof.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise one ormore antiblocking and/or detackifying agents. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable antiblocking and/or detackifying agents include starches,modified starches, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinkedcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metallic oxides, calciumcarbonate, talc and mica.

Active agents of the present invention may be added to thefilament-forming composition prior to and/or during filament formationand/or may be added to the filament after filament formation. Forexample, a perfume active agent may be applied to the filament and/ornonwoven web comprising the filament after the filament and/or nonwovenweb according to the present invention are formed. In another example,an enzyme active agent may be applied to the filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament after the filament and/or nonwoven webaccording to the present invention are formed. In still another example,one or more particulate active agents, such as one or more ingestibleactive agents, such as bismuth subsalicylate, which may not be suitablefor passing through the spinning process for making the filament, may beapplied to the filament and/or nonwoven web comprising the filamentafter the filament and/or nonwoven web according to the presentinvention are formed.

Extensional Aids

In one example, the filament comprises an extensional aid. Non-limitingexamples of extensional aids can include polymers, other extensionalaids, and combinations thereof.

In one example, the extensional aids have a weight-average molecularweight of at least about 500,000 Da. In another example, the weightaverage molecular weight of the extensional aid is from about 500,000 toabout 25,000,000, in another example from about 800,000 to about22,000,000, in yet another example from about 1,000,000 to about20,000,000, and in another example from about 2,000,000 to about15,000,000. The high molecular weight extensional aids are preferred insome examples of the invention due to the ability to increaseextensional melt viscosity and reducing melt fracture.

The extensional aid, when used in a meltblowing process, is added to thecomposition of the present invention in an amount effective to visiblyreduce the melt fracture and capillary breakage of fibers during thespinning process such that substantially continuous fibers havingrelatively consistent diameter can be melt spun. Regardless of theprocess employed to produce filaments, the extensional aids, when used,can be present from about 0.001% to about 10%, by weight on a dryfilament basis, in one example, and in another example from about 0.005to about 5%, by weight on a dry filament basis, in yet another examplefrom about 0.01 to about 1%, by weight on a dry filament basis, and inanother example from about 0.05% to about 0.5%, by weight on a dryfilament basis.

Non-limiting examples of polymers that can be used as extensional aidscan include alginates, carrageenans, pectin, chitin, guar gum, xanthumgum, agar, gum arabic, karaya gum, tragacanth gum, locust bean gum,alkylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose, carboxyalkylcellulose, andmixtures thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of other extensional aids can include carboxylmodified polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylenevinyl acetate, polyethyleneimine, polyamides, polyalkylene oxidesincluding polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyethylenepropyleneoxide, and mixtures thereof.

Method for Making Nonwoven Web

The filaments used to produce the films of the present invention may bemade by any suitable process so long as they are collected and/or formedinto a nonwoven web for further processing into a film. A non-limitingexample of a suitable process for making the filaments and nonwoven webof the present invention is described below.

In one example, a method for making a filament according to the presentinvention comprises the steps of:

a. providing a filament-forming composition comprising one or morefilament-forming materials and one or more active agents; and

b. spinning the filament-forming composition into one or more filamentscomprising the one or more filament-forming materials and the one ormore active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed toconditions of intended use, wherein the total level of the one or morefilament-forming materials present in the filament is 50% or less byweight on a dry filament basis and the total level of the one or moreactive agents present in the filament is 50% or greater by weight on adry filament basis.

In one example, during the spinning step, any volatile solvent, such aswater, present in the filament-forming composition is removed, such asby drying, as the filament is formed. In one example, greater than 30%and/or greater than 40% and/or greater than 50% of the weight of thefilament-forming composition's volatile solvent, such as water, isremoved during the spinning step, such as by drying the filament beingproduced.

The filament-forming composition may comprise any suitable total levelof filament-forming materials and any suitable level of active agents solong as the filament produced from the filament-forming compositioncomprises a total level of filament-forming materials in the filament offrom about 5% to 50% or less by weight on a dry filament basis and atotal level of active agents in the filament of from 50% to about 95% byweight on a dry filament basis.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise anysuitable total level of filament-forming materials and any suitablelevel of active agents so long as the filament produced from thefilament-forming composition comprises a total level of filament-formingmaterials in the filament of from about 5% to 50% or less by weight on adry filament basis and a total level of active agents in the filament offrom 50% to about 95% by weight on a dry filament basis, wherein theweight ratio of filament-forming material to additive is 1 or less.

In one example, the filament-forming composition comprises from about 1%and/or from about 5% and/or from about 10% to about 50% and/or to about40% and/or to about 30% and/or to about 20% by weight of thefilament-forming composition of filament-forming materials; from about1% and/or from about 5% and/or from about 10% to about 50% and/or toabout 40% and/or to about 30% and/or to about 20% by weight of thefilament-forming composition of active agents; and from about 20% and/orfrom about 25% and/or from about 30% and/or from about 40% and/or toabout 80% and/or to about 70% and/or to about 60% and/or to about 50% byweight of the filament-forming composition of a volatile solvent, suchas water. The filament-forming composition may comprise minor amounts ofother active agents, such as less than 10% and/or less than 5% and/orless than 3% and/or less than 1% by weight of the filament-formingcomposition of plasticizers, pH adjusting agents, and other activeagents.

The filament-forming composition is spun into one or more filaments byany suitable spinning process, such as meltblowing and/or spunbonding.In one example, the filament-forming composition is spun into aplurality of filaments by meltblowing. For example, the filament-formingcomposition may be pumped from an extruder to a meltblown spinnerette.Upon exiting one or more of the filament-forming holes in thespinnerette, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air tocreate one or more filaments. The filaments may then be dried to removeany remaining solvent used for spinning, such as the water.

The filaments of the present invention may be collected on a belt, suchas a patterned belt to form a nonwoven web comprising the filaments.

In one example, a method for making a nonwoven web according to thepresent invention comprises the steps of:

a. providing a filament-forming composition comprising one or morefilament-forming materials and optionally, one or more active agents;

b. spinning the filament-forming composition into one or more filamentscomprising the one or more filament-forming materials and optionally,the one or more active agents; and

c. collecting the filaments on a collection device, such as a belt, forexample a patterned belt, such that a nonwoven web comprising thefilaments is produced.

The filament-forming composition may comprise any suitable total levelof filament-forming materials and any suitable level of active agents.In one example, the filament comprises about 100% by weight on a dryfilament basis of a filament-forming materials. In another example, thetotal level of the one or more filament-forming materials present in thefilaments may be less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/or less than 80%and/or less than 50% and/or less than 35% and/or to about 5% and/or toabout 10% and/or to about 20% by weight on a dry filament basis and thetotal level of the one or more active agents present in the filamentsmay be greater than 5% and/or greater than 10% and/or greater than 20%and/or greater than 35% and/or greater than 50% and/or greater than 65%and/or to about 95% and/or to about 90% and/or to about 80% by weight ona dry filament basis.

The filament-forming composition is spun into one or more filaments byany suitable spinning process, such as meltblowing and/or spunbonding.In one example, the filament-forming composition is spun into aplurality of filaments by meltblowing. For example, the filament-formingcomposition may be pumped from an extruder to a meltblown spinnerette.Upon exiting one or more of the filament-forming holes in thespinnerette, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air tocreate one or more filaments. The filaments may then be dried to removeany remaining solvent used for spinning, such as the water.

Nonwoven Web

One or more, and/or a plurality of filaments of the present inventionmay form a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web may be converted into a filmand may be used to deliver an active agent from the film of the presentinvention when the film is exposed to conditions of intended use of thefilm.

Even though the filament and/or nonwoven web and/or film of the presentinvention are in solid form, the filament-forming composition used tomake the filaments of the present invention may be in the form of aliquid.

The nonwoven web of the present invention may be pressed into a film,for example by applying a compressive force and/or heating the nonwovenweb to convert the nonwoven web into a film. The film comprises theactive agents that are present in the filaments of the nonwoven web ofthe present invention. The nonwoven web may be completely converted intoa film or parts of the nonwoven web may remain in the film, for exampleone or more remnants of a filament may be detectable in the film, afterpartial conversion of the nonwoven web into the film. The films may beused for any suitable purposes that the active agents may be used forincluding, but not limited to the uses exemplified for the nonwoven web.

In one example, the nonwoven web comprises a plurality of identical orsubstantially identical, from a compositional perspective, filamentsaccording to the present invention. In another example, the nonwoven webmay comprise two or more different filaments according to the presentinvention. Non-limiting examples of differences in the filaments may bephysical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture,shape, rigidness, elasticity, and the like; chemical differences such ascrosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent,filament-forming material, color, level of active agent, level offilament-forming material, presence of any coating on filament,biodegradable or not, hydrophobic or not, contact angle, and the like;differences in whether the filament loses its physical structure whenthe filament is exposed to conditions of intended use; differences inwhether the filament's morphology changes when the filament is exposedto conditions of intended use; and differences in rate at which thefilament releases one or more of its active agents when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use. In one example, two or morefilaments within the nonwoven web may comprise the same filament-formingmaterial, but have different active agents. This may be the case wherethe different active agents may be incompatible with one another, forexample an anionic surfactant (such as a shampoo active agent) and acationic surfactant (such as a hair conditioner active agent).

In another example, the nonwoven web may comprise two or more differentlayers (in the z-direction of the nonwoven web of filaments of thepresent invention that form the nonwoven web. The filaments in one layermay be the same as or different from the filaments in another layer.Each layer may comprise a plurality of identical or substantiallyidentical or different filaments. For example, filaments that mayrelease their active agents at a faster rate than others within thenonwoven web may be positioned to an external surface of the nonwovenweb.

In another example, the nonwoven web may exhibit different regions, suchas different regions of basis weight, density and/or caliper. In yetanother example, the nonwoven web may comprise texture on one or more ofits surfaces. A surface of the nonwoven web may comprise a pattern, suchas a non-random, repeating pattern. The nonwoven web may be embossedwith an emboss pattern. In another example, the nonwoven web maycomprise apertures. The apertures may be arranged in a non-random,repeating pattern.

In one example, the nonwoven web may comprise discrete regions offilaments that differ from other parts of the nonwoven web.

The nonwoven web of the present invention may be used as is or may becoated with one or more active agents.

In another example, the nonwoven web of the present invention may bepressed into a film, for example by applying a compressive force and/orheating the nonwoven web to convert the nonwoven web into a film. Thefilm would comprise the active agents that were present in the filamentsof the present invention. The nonwoven web may be completely convertedinto a film or parts of the nonwoven web may remain in the film afterpartial conversion of the nonwoven web into the film. The films may beused for any suitable purposes that the active agents may be used forincluding, but not limited to the uses exemplified for the nonwoven web.

In one example, the nonwoven web of the present invention exhibits anaverage disintegration time per g of sample of less than 120 and/or lessthan 100 and/or less than 80 and/or less than 55 and/or less than 50and/or less than 40 and/or less than 30 and/or less than 20 seconds/gram(s/g) as measured according to the Dissolution Test Method describedherein.

In another example, the nonwoven web of the present invention exhibitsan average dissolution time per g of sample of less than 950 and/or lessthan 900 and/or less than 800 and/or less than 700 and/or less than 600and/or less than 550 s/g as measured according to the Dissolution TestMethod described herein.

In one example, the nonwoven web of the present invention exhibits athickness of greater than 0.01 mm and/or greater than 0.05 mm and/orgreater than 0.1 mm and/or to about 20 mm and/or to about 10 mm and/orto about 5 mm and/or to about 2 mm and/or to about 0.5 mm and/or toabout 0.3 mm as measured by the Thickness Test Method described herein.

The nonwoven web of the present invention may be pressed into a film,for example by applying a compressive force and/or heating the nonwovenweb to convert the nonwoven web into a film. The film comprises theactive agents that are present in the filaments of the nonwoven web ofthe present invention. The nonwoven web may be completely converted intoa film or parts of the nonwoven web may remain in the film after partialconversion of the nonwoven web into the film. The films may be used forany suitable purposes that the active agents may be used for including,but not limited to the uses exemplified for the nonwoven web.

In one example, the nonwoven web comprises a plurality of identical orsubstantially identical, from a compositional perspective, filamentsaccording to the present invention. In another example, the nonwoven webmay comprise two or more different filaments according to the presentinvention. Non-limiting examples of differences in the filaments may bephysical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture,shape, rigidness, elasticity, and the like; chemical differences such ascrosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent,filament-forming material, color, level of active agent, level offilament-forming material, presence of any coating on filament,biodegradable or not, hydrophobic or not, contact angle, and the like;differences in whether the filament loses its physical structure whenthe filament is exposed to conditions of intended use; differences inwhether the filament's morphology changes when the filament is exposedto conditions of intended use; and differences in rate at which thefilament releases one or more of its active agents when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use. In one example, two or morefilaments within the nonwoven web may comprise the same filament-formingmaterial, but have different active agents. This may be the case wherethe different active agents may be incompatible with one another, forexample an anionic surfactant (such as a shampoo active agent) and acationic surfactant (such as a hair conditioner active agent).

In another example, the nonwoven web may comprise two or more differentlayers (in the z-direction of the nonwoven web of filaments of thepresent invention that form the nonwoven web. The filaments in one layermay be the same as or different from the filaments in another layer.Each layer may comprise a plurality of identical or substantiallyidentical or different filaments. For example, filaments that mayrelease their active agents at a faster rate than others within thenonwoven web may be positioned to an external surface of the nonwovenweb.

In another example, the nonwoven web may exhibit different regions, suchas different regions of basis weight, density and/or caliper. In yetanother example, the nonwoven web may comprise texture on one or more ofits surfaces. A surface of the nonwoven web may comprise a pattern, suchas a non-random, repeating pattern. The nonwoven web may be embossedwith an emboss pattern. In another example, the nonwoven web maycomprise apertures. The apertures may be arranged in a non-random,repeating pattern.

In one example, the nonwoven web may comprise discrete regions offilaments that differ from other parts of the nonwoven web.

Process for Making a Film

A process for making a film from a nonwoven web according to the presentinvention comprises the steps of:

a. providing a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of filamentscomprising a filament-forming material, for example a polarsolvent-soluble filament-forming material; and

b. converting the nonwoven web into a film.

In one example of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a process20 for making a film 22 from a nonwoven web 24 comprises the steps ofproviding a nonwoven web 24 and converting the nonwoven web 24 into afilm 22. The step of converting the nonwoven web 24 into a film 22 isrepresented by 26.

The step of converting 26 the nonwoven web 24 into a film 22 maycomprise the step of subjecting the nonwoven web 24 to a force. Theforce may comprise a compressive force. The compressive force may applyfrom about 0.2 MPa and/or from about 0.4 MPa and/or from about 1 MPaand/or to about 10 MPa and/or to about 8 MPa and/or to about 6 MPa ofpressure to the nonwoven web 24.

In another example as shown in FIG. 2, the step of converting thenonwoven web 24 comprises applying a compressive force that applies fromabout 30 and/or about 50 and/or about 75 and/or to about 350 and/or toabout 300 and/or to about 250 pli of pressure to the nonwoven web.

The nonwoven web 24 may be subjected to the force for at least 20milliseconds and/or at least 50 milliseconds and/or at least 100milliseconds and/or to about 800 milliseconds and/or to about 600milliseconds and/or to about 400 milliseconds and/or to about 200milliseconds. In one example, the nonwoven web 24 is subjected to theforce for a time period of from about 400 milliseconds to about 800milliseconds.

The nonwoven web 24 may be subjected to the force at a temperature of atleast 50° C. and/or at least 100° C. and/or at least 140° C. and/or atleast 150° C. and/or at least 180° C. and/or to about 200° C. In oneexample, the nonwoven web 24 is subjected to the force at a temperatureof from about 140° C. to about 200° C.

The step of converting the nonwoven web 24 may comprise subjecting thenonwoven web to a temperature of at least 50° C. and/or at least 100° C.and/or at least 140° C. and/or at least 150° C. and/or at least 180° C.and/or to about 200° C. In one example, the step of converting comprisessubjecting the nonwoven web 24 to a temperature of from about 140° C. toabout 200° C.

The nonwoven web 24 may be supplied from a roll 28 of nonwoven web 24.The film 22 may be wound into a roll 30 of film 22.

In another example, the step of converting the nonwoven web 24 into afilm 22 may occur over a time period of at least 20 milliseconds and/orat least 30 milliseconds and/or at least 40 milliseconds and/or at least60 milliseconds and/or at least 400 milliseconds and/or at least 800milliseconds. In one example, the step of converting the nonwoven web 24into a film 22 occurs over a time period of from about 400 millisecondsto about 800 milliseconds.

The nonwoven web 24 may comprise a plurality of filaments 32 accordingto the present invention. In one example, the filaments 32 comprisepolyvinyl alcohol.

As shown in FIG. 3, a process 34 for making a film 22 from a nonwovenweb 24 comprising a plurality of filaments 32 comprises the step ofconverting 26 the nonwoven web 24 into the film 22. The nonwoven web 24may be produced by depositing the plurality of filaments 32 onto a belt36. The filaments 32 may be spun from a filament-forming composition viaa meltblown die 38. Non-limiting examples of the step of converting 26are discussed above. In addition, The process 34 may further subjectingthe nonwoven web 24 to one or more pre-conditioning steps represented by40. The one or more pre-conditioning steps 40 may occur prior to (asshown in FIG. 3) the converting step 26. In one example, thepre-conditioning step 40 comprises a step of subjecting the nonwoven web24 to moisture. The step of subjecting the nonwoven web 24 to moisturemay result in the nonwoven web 24 exhibiting a moisture level of atleast 4% and/or at least 6% and/or at least 8% and/or at least 10% byweight of the nonwoven web 24. In one example, the pre-conditioning stepmay result in the nonwoven web 24 exhibiting a moisture level of fromabout 7% to about 14%.

The step of converting the nonwoven web may comprise subjecting thenonwoven web to a force, for example comprises passing the nonwoven webthrough a metal belt calendar (available from Metso Paper, Inc.,Finland) and/or an extended nip or super calendar (available from VoithPaper, Germany).

In another example, the pre-conditioning step 40 may comprise applying aplasticizer to the nonwoven web 24.

Further yet, the pre-conditioning step 40 may comprise subjecting thenonwoven web 24 to a temperature of at least 180° C. and/or at least200° C. and/or at least 225° C. and/or at least 250° C. to about 500° C.and/or to about 450° C. and/or to about 400° C. and/or to about 350° C.

The film 22 produced by the process 34 may be wound into a roll 42.

The step of converting the nonwoven web to a film may compriseadditional steps. In one example, the step of converting the nonwovenweb into a film comprises contacting the nonwoven web with a solvent.Non-limiting examples of a suitable solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of: water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.In another example the solvent may comprise an organic solvent. In oneexample, the solvent comprises an organic solvent.

The step of converting the nonwoven web to a film may comprise using anonwoven web carrier to impart a three-dimensional structure into thefilm. The nonwoven web carrier may be selected from the group consistingof: patterned wells, platen, texturized plates, patterned belts, embossrolls, patterned rolls, and mixtures thereof. A non-limiting example ofa suitable nonwoven web carrier is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is aschematic representation of a patterned belt 44 comprising depressions46 into which portion of the nonwoven web may be deflected during thestep of converting the nonwoven web to a film.

In one example, the nonwoven web may be attached to an insolublesubstrate prior to converting into a film.

Non-limiting Synthesis Examples for Making a Film Synthesis 1—

A polyvinyl alcohol film is prepared as follows. A nonwoven webcomprising a plurality of polyvinyl alcohol filaments is stored under21° C./65% relative humidity conditions for at least 15 minutesimmediately prior to passing the nonwoven web through a nip with no gapformed by two rolls that apply a pressure of 75 psi to the nonwoven web.The rolls are moving at a speed of 1 foot per minute. A polyvinylalcohol film results from the process.

Synthesis 2—

A laundry detergent film according to the present invention is producedby converting a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of filaments madefrom a filament-forming composition that is formed by combining a 15%solids solution of polyvinyl alcohol from (Sigma Aldrich cat #363081) indeionized water with 75% solution of a laundry detergent compositionincluding surfactants in deionized water. The nonwoven web is storedunder 21° C./65% relative humidity conditions for at least 15 minutesimmediately prior to passing the nonwoven web through a nip with no gapformed by two rolls that apply a pressure of 75 psi to the nonwoven web.The rolls are moving at a speed of 1 foot per minute. A film resultsfrom the process.

Synthesis 3—

A blended polyvinyl alcohol and starch film is prepared as follows. Anonwoven web comprising a plurality of filaments comprising polyvinylalcohol and starch is stored under 21° C./65% relative humidityconditions for at least 15 minutes immediately prior to passing thenonwoven web through a nip with no gap formed by two rolls that apply apressure of 75 psi to the nonwoven web. The rolls are moving at a speedof 1 foot per minute. A blended polyvinyl alcohol and starch filmresults from the process.

Film

The film formed by converting a nonwoven web according to the presentinvention may be a water-soluble film or partially water-soluble film.In one example, at least 50% by weight of the film dissolves (at least50% solubility) in distilled water as measured according to theDissolution Test Method. In other words, the film may be awater-dispersible film.

In one example, the film may comprise an additive selected from thegroup consisting of: colorants, pearlescents, pigments, and mixturesthereof. Such and additive may be added to the film during and/or afterthe step of converting the nonwoven web into the film. Further, theadditives may be present in and/or on the filaments and/or nonwovenprior to the nonwoven being converted into a film.

In another example, the film may comprise an active agent selected fromthe group consisting of: antioxidants, UV agents, dispersants,disintegrants, antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, oxidizingagents, reducing agents, handling/release agents, perfume agents, andmixtures thereof to the film. The active agent may be added to the filmduring and/or after the step of converting the nonwoven web into thefilm.

In one example, the film of the present invention may be used to replacecast films in various products. For example, the film of the presentinvention may be used to make a unit dose laundry and/or dishwashingpouches.

In another example, the film of the present invention exhibits a PlateStiffness of less than 15 N*mm and/or less than 12 N*mm and/or less than10 N*mm and/or less than 8 N*mm and/or from about 0.5 N*mm to about 15N*mm and/or from about 0.5 N*mm to about 12 N*mm and/or from about 0.5N*mm to about 10 N*mm and/or from about 1 N*mm to about 8 N*mm and/orfrom about 1.5 N*mm to about 5 N*mm as measured according to the PlateStiffness Test Method described herein.

In one example, the film of the present invention comprises a non-porousfilm.

The film of the present invention may be used as is or may be coatedwith one or more active agents.

In one example, the film of the present invention exhibits an averagedisintegration time per g of sample of less than 120 and/or less than100 and/or less than 80 and/or less than 55 and/or less than 50 and/orless than 40 and/or less than 30 and/or less than 20 seconds/gram (s/g)as measured according to the Dissolution Test Method described herein.

In another example, the film of the present invention exhibits anaverage dissolution time per g of sample of less than 950 and/or lessthan 900 and/or less than 800 and/or less than 700 and/or less than 600and/or less than 550 s/g as measured according to the Dissolution TestMethod described herein.

In one example, the film of the present invention exhibits a thicknessof greater than 0.01 mm and/or greater than 0.05 mm and/or greater than0.1 mm and/or to about 20 mm and/or to about 10 mm and/or to about 5 mmand/or to about 2 mm and/or to about 0.5 mm and/or to about 0.3 mm asmeasured by the Thickness Test Method described herein.

In one example, the film of the present invention may comprise one ormore embossments, one or more prints, for example ink jet print imagesand/or dots, which may comprise one or more active agents.

In one example, the film of the present invention may comprise one ormore filament-forming materials in the absence of active agents. Inanother example, the film of the present invention may comprise one ormore filament-forming materials and one or more active agents.

Automatic Dishwashing Articles

Automatic dishwashing articles comprise one or more filaments and/orfibers and/or nonwoven webs and/or films of the present invention and asurfactant system, and optionally one or more optional ingredients knownin the art of cleaning, for example useful in cleaning dishware in anautomatic dishwashing machine. Examples of these optional ingredientsinclude: anti-scalants, bleaching agents, perfumes, dyes, antibacterialagents, enzymes (e.g., protease), cleaning polymers (e.g., alkoxylatedpolyethyleneimine polymer), hydrotropes, suds inhibitors, carboxylicacids, thickening agents, preservatives, disinfecting agents, pHbuffering means so that the automatic dishwashing liquor generally has apH of from 3 to 14 (alternatively 8 to 11), or mixtures thereof.Examples of automatic dishwashing actives are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,679,630; U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,034; U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,034; U.S. Pat.No. 5,705,464; U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,386; U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,881; U.S.Pat. No. 6,017,871; U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,294.

Scale formation can be a problem. It can result from precipitation ofalkali earth metal carbonates, phosphates, and silicates. Examples ofanti-scalants include polyacrylates and polymers based on acrylic acidcombined with other moieties. Sulfonated varieties of these polymers areparticular effective in nil phosphate formulation executions. Examplesof anti-scalants include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,540,col. 15, 1. 20—col. 16, 1. 2; and EP 0 851 022 A2, pg. 12, 1. 1-20.

In one embodiment, an automatic dishwashing article is providedcomprising a filament and/or fiber and/or nonwoven web of the presentinvention, a nonionic surfactant, a sulfonated polymer, optionally achelant, optionally a builder, and optionally a bleaching agent, andmixtures thereof. A method of cleaning dishware is provided comprisingthe step of dosing an automatic dishwashing article of the presentinvention into an automatic dishwashing machine.

Hand Dishwashing Articles

Hand dish washing articles comprise one or more filaments and/or fibersand/or nonwoven webs and/or films of the present invention and asurfactant system, and optionally one or more optional ingredients knownin the art of cleaning, for example useful in cleaning dishware by hand.Examples of these optional ingredients include: perfume, dyes,antibacterial agents, enzymes (e.g., protease), cleaning polymers (e.g.,alkoxylated polyethyleneimine polymer), hydrotropes, polymeric sudsstabilizers, bleaching agent, diamines, carboxylic acids, thickeningagents, preservatives, disinfecting agents, pH buffering means so thatthe dish washing liquor generally has a pH of from 3 to 14 (preferablyfrom 8 to 11), or mixtures thereof. Examples of hand dishwashing activesare described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,065; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,122.

In one embodiment, the surfactant of the hand dishwashing articlecomprises an alkyl sulfate, an alkoxy sulfate, an alkyl sulfonate, analkoxy sulfonate, an alkyl aryl sulfonate, an amine oxide, a betaine ora derivative of aliphatic or heterocyclic secondary and ternary amine, aquaternary ammonium surfactant, an amine, a singly or multiplyalkoxylated alcohol, an alkyl polyglycoside, a fatty acid amidesurfactant, a C₈-C₂₀ ammonia amide, a monoethanolamide, adiethanolamide, an isopropanolamide, a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide, ora mixture thereof.

A method of washing dishware is provided comprising the step of dosing ahand dishwashing article of the present invention in a sink or basinsuitable for containing soiled dishware. The sink or basin may containwater and/or soiled dishware.

Hard Surface Cleaning Article

Hard surface cleaning articles comprise one or more filaments and/orfibers and/or nonwoven webs and/or films of the present invention andoptionally one or more optional ingredients known in the art ofcleaning, for example useful in cleaning hard surfaces, such as an acidconstituent, for example an acid constituent that provides goodlimescale removal performance (e.g., formic acid, citric acid, sorbicacid, acetic acid, boric acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, lactic acidmalic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, or mixtures thereof). Examplesof ingredients that may be included an acidic hard surface cleaningarticle may include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,143.Alternatively the hard surface cleaning article comprises an alkalinityconstituent (e.g., alkanolmine, carbonate, bicarbonate compound, ormixtures thereof). Examples of ingredients that may be included in analkaline hard surface cleaning article may include those described in US2010/0206328 A1. A method of cleaning a hard surface includes using ordosing a hard surface cleaning article in a method to clean a hardsurface. In one embodiment, the method comprises dosing a hard surfacecleaning article in a bucket or similar container, optionally addingwater to the bucket before or after dosing the article to the bucket. Inanother embodiment, the method comprising dosing a hard surface cleaningarticle in a toilet bowl, optionally scrubbing the surface of the toiletbowl after the article has dissolved in the water contained in thetoilet bowl.

Toilet Bowl Cleaning Head

A toilet bowl cleaning head for a toilet bowl cleaning implementcomprising one or more filaments and/or fibers and/or nonwoven websand/or films of the present invention is provided. The toilet bowlcleaning head may be disposable. The toilet bowl cleaning head may beremovably attached to a handle, so that the user's hands remain remotefrom the toilet bowl. In one embodiment, the toilet bowl cleaning headmay contain a water dispersible shell. In turn, the water dispersibleshell may comprise one or more filaments and/or fibers and/or nonwovenwebs and/or films of the present invention. This water dispersible shellmay encase a core. The core may comprise at least one granular material.The granular material of the core may comprise surfactants, organicacids, perfumes, disinfectants, bleaches, detergents, enzymes,particulates, or mixtures thereof. Optionally, the core may be free fromcellulose, and may comprise one or more filaments and/or fibers and/ornonwoven webs and/or films of the present invention. Examples a suitabletoilet bowl cleaning head may be made according to commonly assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,804 (P&G Case 11892). A suitabletoilet bowl cleaning head containing starch materials may be madeaccording to commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/073,308 (P&G case 12048), Ser. No. 13/073,274 (P&G case 12049) and/orSer. No. 13/07,3346 (P&G case 12054). A method of cleaning a toilet bowlsurface is provided comprising the step of contacting the toilet bowlsurface with a toilet bowl cleaning head of the present invention.

Unit Dose Product

The film of the present invention may be used to produce a unit doseproduct, such as a unit dose laundry detergent product and/or a unitdose dishwashing detergent product. The unit dose product may comprise apouch formed by the film of the present invention. The pouch may containa laundry detergent composition, for example it may contains one or moresurfactants, one or more enzymes, one or more bleaching agents, and oneor more perfumes. The laundry detergent composition may comprise aliquid laundry detergent composition. The laundry detergent compositionmay comprise a solid laundry detergent composition.

In another example, the pouch may contain a dishwashing detergentcomposition, for example it may contain one or more surfactants, one ormore enzymes, one or more bleaching agents, and one or more perfumes.The dishwashing detergent composition may comprise a liquid dishwashingdetergent composition. The dishwashing detergent composition maycomprise a solid dishwashing detergent composition.

The pouch may comprise two or more compartments, which are capable ofkeeping different component contained within the pouch separate from oneanother.

In one example, a unit dose product, for example a pouch, is made withthe film of the present invention by any suitable process known in theart. A non-limiting example of a process for making a pouch with a filmof the present invention is described below. An appropriately sizedpiece of the film is obtained, such as by cutting the piece of film froma larger source of film. The piece of film is then positioned on a mouldsuitable for forming the pouch. A vacuum is applied to the film so thatthe film is flush within an inner surface of the mould, thus forming avacuum formed indent or niche in the film. This process is referred toas vacuum-forming Another suitable method is thermo-forming, whichinvolves the step of forming an open pouch in a mould under applicationof heat to the film, which allows the film to take on the shape of themould.

Once the open pouch is formed using the mould, a composition, such as alaundry detergent composition or dishwashing detergent composition isadded to the open pouch by any suitable process known in the art. Next,another piece of film is placed over the open pouch to enclose thecomposition within the pouch. The two pieces of film are then sealed,such as by heat and/or pressure, such that the finished pouch does notpermit the composition within the pouch to leak out, at least not untilit is exposed to conditions of intended use, such as within a washingmachine.

The pouches formed by the films of the present invention may be in anyshape. The may be a single compartment or two or more compartments.

In one example, the compositions contained within the pouches of thepresent invention are compatible with the film of the present inventionand/or do not degrade the film, at least until degradation is desired,if any, such as when exposed to conditions of intended use. In oneexample, the composition within the film comprises less than 20% and/orless than 15% and/or less than 10% and/or less than 7.5% and/or lessthan 5% and/or to 0% and/or to greater than 0% and/or to about 1% and/orto about 2% by weight of water.

In one example, the compositions contained within the pouches of thepresent invention are compatible with the film of the present inventionand/or do not degrade the film, at least until degradation is desired,if any, such as when exposed to conditions of intended use. In oneexample, the composition within the film comprises less than 20% and/orless than 15% and/or less than 10% and/or less than 7.5% and/or lessthan 5% and/or to 0% and/or to greater than 0% and/or to about 1% and/orto about 2% by weight of water.

In one example, the pouch comprises a liquid composition and an airbubble.

In one example, the film used in the pouch exhibits a thickness of atleast 0.1 mils and/or at least 0.3 mils and/or at least 0.5 mils toabout 20 mils and/or to about 15 mils and/or to about 10 mils asmeasured according to the Thickness Test Method described herein. In oneexample, the film exhibits a thickness of from about 2 mils to about 4mils as measured according to the Thickness Test Method describedherein.

In one example, the film of the present invention used to form a pouchfor a unit dose product exhibits a substantially uniform or uniformthickness throughout the entire pouch. In another example, the film ofthe present invention used to form a multi-compartment pouch for a unitdose product exhibits a substantially uniform or uniform thicknessthroughout the entire multi-compartment pouch. In one example, the filmthickness of a pouch, for example a multi-compartment pouch differs byless than 4 mils and/or less than 2 mils and/or less than 1 mil and/orless than 0.5 mils and/or less than 0.3 mils and/or less than 0.1 milsas measured according to the Thickness Test Method described herein.

The film may be coated with a protective barrier to prevent prematuredissolution, if needed.

Non-limiting examples of uses of the films of the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to a laundry dryer substrate, washingmachine substrate, washcloth, hard surface cleaning and/or polishingsubstrate, floor cleaning and/or polishing substrate, as a component ina battery, baby wipe, adult wipe, feminine hygiene wipe, bath tissuewipe, window cleaning substrate, oil containment and/or scavengingsubstrate, insect repellant substrate, swimming pool chemical substrate,food, breath freshener, deodorant, waste disposal bag, packaging filmand/or wrap, wound dressing, medicine delivery, building insulation,crops and/or plant cover and/or bedding, glue substrate, skin caresubstrate, hair care substrate, air care substrate, water treatmentsubstrate and/or filter, toilet bowl cleaning substrate, candysubstrate, pet food, livestock bedding, teeth whitening substrates,carpet cleaning substrates, and other suitable uses of the active agentsof the present invention.

In one example, the film of the present invention used to make a pouchof the present invention may comprise one or more filament-formingmaterials in the absence of active agents. In another example, the filmof the present invention used to make a pouch of the present inventionmay comprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or moreactive agents.

The contents of the pouch may comprise one or more active agents.

In one example, the film of the present invention is used to form a unitdose laundry detergent composition and/or dishwashing detergentcomposition.

The film of the present invention may be used as is or may be coatedwith one or more active agents.

In one example, the nonwoven web and/or film exhibits a surface areagreater than 0.25 m² and/or greater than 0.50 m² and/or greater than 1m². In one example, the nonwoven web and/or film of the presentinvention exhibits a BET surface area of greater than 0.15 m²/g and/orgreater than 0.20 m²/g and/or greater than 0.25 m²/g.

Methods of Use

The films comprising one or more fabric care active agents according thepresent invention may be utilized in a method for treating a fabricarticle. The method of treating a fabric article may comprise one ormore steps selected from the group consisting of: (a) pre-treating thefabric article with the film, for example a water-soluble film, of thepresent invention before washing the fabric article; (b) forming a washliquor by contacting the film, for example a water-soluble film, of thepresent invention with water and contacting the fabric article with thewater; (c) contacting the fabric article with the film, for example awater-soluble film, of the present invention in a dryer; (d) drying thefabric article in the presence of the film, for example a water-solublefilm, in a dryer; and (e) combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the step ofpre-moistening the nonwoven web or film prior to contacting it to thefabric article to be pre-treated. For example, the nonwoven web or filmcan be pre-moistened with water and then adhered to a portion of thefabric comprising a stain that is to be pre-treated. Alternatively, thefabric may be moistened and the web or film placed on or adheredthereto. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the stepof selecting of only a portion of the nonwoven web or film for use intreating a fabric article. For example, if only one fabric care articleis to be treated, a portion of the nonwoven web or film may be cutand/or torn away and either placed on or adhered to the fabric or placedinto water to form a relatively small amount of wash liquor which isthen used to pre-treat the fabric. In this way, the user may customizethe fabric treatment method according to the task at hand. In someembodiments, at least a portion of a nonwoven web or film may be appliedto the fabric to be treated using a device. Exemplary devices include,but are not limited to, brushes and sponges. Any one or more of theaforementioned steps may be repeated to achieve the desired fabrictreatment benefit.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise indicated, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following test methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditionedroom at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.) and arelative humidity of 50%±10% for 2 hours prior to the test unlessotherwise indicated. Samples conditioned as described herein areconsidered dry samples (such as “dry filaments”) for purposes of thisinvention. Further, all tests are conducted in such conditioned room.

Water Content Test Method

The water (moisture) content present in a filament and/or fiber and/ornonwoven web is measured using the following Water Content Test Method.

A filament and/or nonwoven or portion thereof (“sample”) is placed in aconditioned room at a temperature of 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.)and a relative humidity of 50%±10% for at least 24 hours prior totesting. The weight of the sample is recorded when no further weightchange is detected for at least a 5 minute period. Record this weight asthe “equilibrium weight” of the sample. Next, place the sample in adrying oven for 24 hours at 70° C. with a relative humidity of about 4%to dry the sample. After the 24 hours of drying, immediately weigh thesample. Record this weight as the “dry weight” of the sample. The water(moisture) content of the sample is calculated as follows:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Water}\mspace{14mu} ({moisture})\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {sample}} = {100\% \times \frac{( {{{Equilibrium}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}} - {{Dry}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}}} )}{{Dry}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {sample}}}$

The % Water (moisture) in sample for 3 replicates is averaged to givethe reported % Water (moisture) in sample.

Dissolution Test Method

Apparatus and Materials:

600 mL Beaker

Magnetic Stirrer (Labline Model No. 1250 or equivalent)

Magnetic Stirring Rod (5 cm)

Thermometer (1 to 100° C.+/−1° C.)

Template, Stainless Steel (3.8 cm×3.2 cm)

Timer (0-300 seconds, accurate to the nearest second)

35 mm Slide Mount having an open area of 3.8 cm×3.2 cm (commerciallyavailable from Polaroid Corporation)

35 mm Slide Mount Holder

City of Cincinnati Water or equivalent having the following properties:Total Hardness=155 mg/L as CaCO₃; Calcium content=33.2 mg/L; Magnesiumcontent=17.5 mg/L; Phosphate content=0.0462

Sample Preparation:

-   -   1. Cut 3 test samples from a film or a nonwoven web to be tested        (“sample”) using the template to ensure that the sample fits        within the 35 mm slide mount with open area dimensions 24×36 mm        (i.e. 3.8 cm×3.2 cm specimen). Cut the samples from areas of the        film or nonwoven web equally spaced along the transverse        direction of the film or nonwoven web.    -   2. Lock each of the 3 samples in a separate 35 mm slide mount.    -   3. Place magnetic stirring rod into the 600 mL Beaker.    -   4. Obtain 500 mL or greater of Cincinnati city water and measure        water temperature with thermometer and, if necessary, adjust the        temperature of the water to maintain it at the testing        temperature; namely, 5° C. Once the water temperature is at 5°        C., fill the 600 mL beaker with 500 mL of the water.    -   5. Next, place the beaker on on the magnetic stirrer. Turn the        stirrer on, and adjust stir speed until a vortex develops in the        water and the bottom of the vortex is at the 400 mL mark on the        600 mL beaker.    -   6. Secure the 35 mm slide mount with sample locked therein in a        holder designed to lower the 35 mm slide mount into the water in        the beaker, for example an alligator clamp of a 35 mm slide        mount holder designed to position the 35 mm slide mount into the        water present in the 600 mL beaker. The 35 mm slide mount is        held by the alligator clamp in the middle of one long end of the        35 mm slide mount such that the long ends of the 35 mm slide        mount are parallel to the surface of the water present in the        600 mL beaker. This set up will position the film or nonwoven        surface perpendicular to the flow of the water. A slightly        modified example of an arrangement of a 35 mm slide mount and        slide mount holder are shown in FIGS. 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No.        6,787,512.    -   7. In one motion, the 35 mm slide mount holder, which positions        the 35 mm slide mount above the center of the water in the        beaker, is dropped resulting in the 35 mm slide mount becoming        submerged in the water sufficiently such that the water contacts        the entire exposed surface area of the film or nonwoven sample        locked in the 35 mm slide mount. As soon as the water contacts        the entire exposed surface area of the film or nonwoven start        the timer. Disintegration occurs when the film or nonwoven        breaks apart. When all of the visible film or nonwoven is        released from the slide mount, raise the 35 mm slide mount out        of the water while continuing to monitor the water for        undissolved film or nonwoven fragments. Dissolution occurs when        all film or nonwoven fragments are no longer visible in the        water.    -   8. Three replicates of each sample are run.    -   9. Each disintegration and dissolution time is normalized by        weight of the sample to obtain values of the disintegration and        dissolution times per g of sample tested, which is in units of        seconds/gram of sample (s/g). The average disintegration and        dissolution times per g of sample tested of the three replicates        are recorded.

Diameter Test Method

The diameter of a discrete filament or a filament within a nonwoven webor film is determined by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) oran Optical Microscope and an image analysis software. A magnification of200 to 10,000 times is chosen such that the filaments are suitablyenlarged for measurement. When using the SEM, the samples are sputteredwith gold or a palladium compound to avoid electric charging andvibrations of the filament in the electron beam. A manual procedure fordetermining the filament diameters is used from the image (on monitorscreen) taken with the SEM or the optical microscope. Using a mouse anda cursor tool, the edge of a randomly selected filament is sought andthen measured across its width (i.e., perpendicular to filamentdirection at that point) to the other edge of the filament. A scaled andcalibrated image analysis tool provides the scaling to get actualreading in μm. For filaments within a nonwoven web or film, severalfilament are randomly selected across the sample of the nonwoven web orfilm using the SEM or the optical microscope. At least two portions thenonwoven web or film (or web inside a product) are cut and tested inthis manner. Altogether at least 100 such measurements are made and thenall data are recorded for statistical analysis. The recorded data areused to calculate average (mean) of the filament diameters, standarddeviation of the filament diameters, and median of the filamentdiameters.

Another useful statistic is the calculation of the amount of thepopulation of filaments that is below a certain upper limit. Todetermine this statistic, the software is programmed to count how manyresults of the filament diameters are below an upper limit and thatcount (divided by total number of data and multiplied by 100%) isreported in percent as percent below the upper limit, such as percentbelow 1 micrometer diameter or %-submicron, for example. We denote themeasured diameter (in μm) of an individual circular filament as di.

In case the filaments have non-circular cross-sections, the measurementof the filament diameter is determined as and set equal to the hydraulicdiameter which is four times the cross-sectional area of the filamentdivided by the perimeter of the cross-section of the filament (outerperimeter in case of hollow filaments). The number-average diameter,alternatively average diameter is calculated as:

$d_{num} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\; d_{i}}{n}$

Thickness Method

Thickness of a nonwoven web or film is measured by cutting 5 samples ofa nonwoven web or film sample such that each cut sample is larger insize than a load foot loading surface of a VIR Electronic ThicknessTester Model II available from Thwing-Albert Instrument Company,Philadelphia, Pa. Typically, the load foot loading surface has acircular surface area of about 3.14 in². The sample is confined betweena horizontal flat surface and the load foot loading surface. The loadfoot loading surface applies a confining pressure to the sample of 15.5g/cm². The caliper of each sample is the resulting gap between the flatsurface and the load foot loading surface. The caliper is calculated asthe average caliper of the five samples. The result is reported inmillimeters (mm)

Shear Viscosity Test Method

The shear viscosity of a filament-forming composition of the presentinvention is measured using a capillary rheometer, Goettfert Rheograph6000, manufactured by Goettfert USA of Rock Hill S.C., USA. Themeasurements are conducted using a capillary die having a diameter D of1.0 mm and a length L of 30 mm (i.e., L/D=30). The die is attached tothe lower end of the rheometer's 20 mm barrel, which is held at a dietest temperature of 75° C. A preheated to die test temperature, 60 gsample of the filament-forming composition is loaded into the barrelsection of the rheometer. Rid the sample of any entrapped air. Push thesample from the barrel through the capillary die at a set of chosenrates 1,000-10,000 seconds⁻¹. An apparent shear viscosity can becalculated with the rheometer's software from the pressure drop thesample experiences as it goes from the barrel through the capillary dieand the flow rate of the sample through the capillary die. The log(apparent shear viscosity) can be plotted against log (shear rate) andthe plot can be fitted by the power law, according to the formulaη=Kγ^(n-1), wherein K is the material's viscosity constant, n is thematerial's thinning index and y is the shear rate. The reported apparentshear viscosity of the filament-forming composition herein is calculatedfrom an interpolation to a shear rate of 3,000 sec⁻¹ using the power lawrelation.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of a fibrous structure sample is measured by selectingtwelve (12) individual fibrous structure samples and making two stacksof six individual samples each. If the individual samples are connectedto one another vie perforation lines, the perforation lines must bealigned on the same side when stacking the individual samples. Aprecision cutter is used to cut each stack into exactly 3.5 in.×3.5 in.squares. The two stacks of cut squares are combined to make a basisweight pad of twelve squares thick. The basis weight pad is then weighedon a top loading balance with a minimum resolution of 0.01 g. The toploading balance must be protected from air drafts and other disturbancesusing a draft shield. Weights are recorded when the readings on the toploading balance become constant. The Basis Weight is calculated asfollows:

${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {Weight}\mspace{14mu} ( {{lbs}\text{/}3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}} )} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}}{\mspace{14mu} \begin{matrix}{453.6\mspace{14mu} g\text{/}{lbs} \times 12\mspace{14mu} {samples} \times} \\\lbrack {12.25\mspace{14mu} {in}^{2}\mspace{14mu} {( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} )/144}\mspace{14mu} {in}^{2}} \rbrack\end{matrix}}$${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {Weight}\mspace{14mu} ( {g\text{/}m^{2}} )} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 10,000\mspace{14mu} {cm}^{2}\text{/}m^{2}}{79.0321\mspace{14mu} {cm}^{2}\mspace{14mu} ( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} ) \times 12\mspace{14mu} {samples}}$

Weight Average Molecular Weight

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of a material, such as apolymer, is determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) using amixed bed column. A high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) havingthe following components: Millenium®, Model 600E pump, system controllerand controller software Version 3.2, Model 717 Plus autosampler andCHM-009246 column heater, all manufactured by Waters Corporation ofMilford, Mass., USA, is utilized. The column is a PL gel 20 μm Mixed Acolumn (gel molecular weight ranges from 1,000 g/mol to 40,000,000g/mol) having a length of 600 mm and an internal diameter of 7.5 mm andthe guard column is a PL gel 20 μm, 50 mm length, 7.5 mm ID. The columntemperature is 55° C. and the injection volume is 200 μL. The detectoris a DAWN® Enhanced Optical System (EOS) including Astra® software,Version 4.73.04 detector software, manufactured by Wyatt Technology ofSanta Barbara, Calif., USA, laser-light scattering detector with K5 celland 690 nm laser. Gain on odd numbered detectors set at 101. Gain oneven numbered detectors set to 20.9. Wyatt Technology's Optilab®differential refractometer set at 50° C. Gain set at 10. The mobilephase is HPLC grade dimethylsulfoxide with 0.1% w/v LiBr and the mobilephase flow rate is 1 mL/min, isocratic. The run time is 30 minutes.

A sample is prepared by dissolving the material in the mobile phase atnominally 3 mg of material/1 mL of mobile phase. The sample is cappedand then stirred for about 5 minutes using a magnetic stirrer. Thesample is then placed in an 85° C. convection oven for 60 minutes. Thesample is then allowed to cool undisturbed to room temperature. Thesample is then filtered through a 5 μm Nylon membrane, type Spartan-25,manufactured by Schleicher & Schuell, of Keene, N.H., USA, into a 5milliliter (mL) autosampler vial using a 5 mL syringe.

For each series of samples measured (3 or more samples of a material), ablank sample of solvent is injected onto the column. Then a check sampleis prepared in a manner similar to that related to the samples describedabove. The check sample comprises 2 mg/mL of pullulan (PolymerLaboratories) having a weight average molecular weight of 47,300 g/mol.The check sample is analyzed prior to analyzing each set of samples.Tests on the blank sample, check sample, and material test samples arerun in duplicate. The final run is a run of the blank sample. The lightscattering detector and differential refractometer is run in accordancewith the “Dawn EOS Light Scattering Instrument Hardware Manual” and“Optilab® DSP Interferometric Refractometer Hardware Manual,” bothmanufactured by Wyatt Technology Corp., of Santa Barbara, Calif., USA,and both incorporated herein by reference.

The weight average molecular weight of the sample is calculated usingthe detector software. A dn/dc (differential change of refractive indexwith concentration) value of 0.066 is used. The baselines for laserlight detectors and the refractive index detector are corrected toremove the contributions from the detector dark current and solventscattering. If a laser light detector signal is saturated or showsexcessive noise, it is not used in the calculation of the molecularmass. The regions for the molecular weight characterization are selectedsuch that both the signals for the 90° detector for the laser-lightscattering and refractive index are greater than 3 times theirrespective baseline noise levels. Typically the high molecular weightside of the chromatogram is limited by the refractive index signal andthe low molecular weight side is limited by the laser light signal.

The weight average molecular weight can be calculated using a “firstorder Zimm plot” as defined in the detector software. If the weightaverage molecular weight of the sample is greater than 1,000,000 g/mol,both the first and second order Zimm plots are calculated, and theresult with the least error from a regression fit is used to calculatethe molecular mass. The reported weight average molecular weight is theaverage of the two runs of the material test sample.

Plate Stiffness Test Method

As used herein, the “Plate Stiffness” test is a measure of stiffness ofa flat sample as it is deformed downward into a hole beneath the sample.For the test, the sample is modeled as an infinite plate with thickness“t” that resides on a flat surface where it is centered over a hole withradius “R”. A central force “F” applied to the tissue directly over thecenter of the hole deflects the tissue down into the hole by a distance“w”. For a linear elastic material the deflection can be predicted by:

$w = {\frac{3F}{4\pi \; {Et}^{3}}( {1 - v} )( {3 + v} )R^{2}}$

where “E” is the effective linear elastic modulus, “v” is the Poisson'sratio, “R” is the radius of the hole, and “t” is the thickness of thetissue, taken as the caliper in millimeters measured on a stack of 5tissues under a load of about 0.29 psi. Taking Poisson's ratio as 0.1(the solution is not highly sensitive to this parameter, so theinaccuracy due to the assumed value is likely to be minor), the previousequation can be rewritten for “w” to estimate the effective modulus as afunction of the flexibility test results:

$E \approx {\frac{3\; R^{2}}{4\; t^{3}}\frac{F}{w}}$

The test results are carried out using an MTS Alliance RT/1 testingmachine (MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn.) with a 100N load cell.As a stack of five tissue sheets at least 2.5-inches square sitscentered over a hole of radius 15.75 mm on a support plate, a bluntprobe of 3.15 mm radius descends at a speed of 20 mm/min. When the probetip descends to 1 mm below the plane of the support plate, the test isterminated. The maximum slope in grams of force/mm over any 0.5 mm spanduring the test is recorded (this maximum slope generally occurs at theend of the stroke). The load cell monitors the applied force and theposition of the probe tip relative to the plane of the support plate isalso monitored. The peak load is recorded, and “E” is estimated usingthe above equation.

The Plate Stiffness “S” per unit width can then be calculated as:

$S = \frac{{Et}^{3}}{12}$

and is expressed in units of Newtons-millimeters. The Testworks programuses the following formula to calculate stiffness:

S=(F/w)[(3+v)R ²/16π]

wherein “F/w” is max slope (force divided by deflection), “v” isPoisson's ratio taken as 0.1, and “R” is the ring radius.

Filament Composition Test Method

In order to prepare filaments for filament composition measurement, thefilaments must be conditioned by removing any coating compositionsand/or materials present on the external surfaces of the filaments thatare removable. An example of a method for doing so is washing thefilaments 3 times with distilled water. The filaments are then air driedat 73° F.±4° F. (about 23° C.±2.2° C.) until the filaments comprisesless than 10% moisture. A chemical analysis of the conditioned filamentsis then completed to determine the compositional make-up of thefilaments with respect to the filament-forming materials and the activeagents and the level of the filament-forming materials and active agentspresent in the filaments.

The compositional make-up of the filaments with respect to thefilament-forming material and the active agents can also be determinedby completing a cross-section analysis using TOF-SIMs or SEM. Stillanother method for determining compositional make-up of the filamentsuses a fluorescent dye as a marker. In addition, as always, amanufacturer of filaments should know the compositions of theirfilaments.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular examples and/or embodiments of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It istherefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A unit dose product comprising a non-casted filmcomprising one or more filament-forming material and one or more activeagents
 2. The unit dose product according to claim 1 wherein at leastone of the filament-forming materials is a polymer selected from thegroup consisting of: polyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives,cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives,proteins, sodium alginate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan,chitosan derivatives, polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol,polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxymethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. 3.The unit dose product according to claim 2 wherein the polymer comprisespolyvinyl alcohol.
 4. The unit dose product according to claim 2 whereinthe polymer comprises starch or starch derivative.
 5. The unit doseproduct according to claim 1 wherein at least one of thefilament-forming materials comprises a polar solvent-soluble polymer. 6.The unit dose product according to claim 1 wherein the polarsolvent-soluble polymer comprises a water-soluble polymer.
 7. The unitdose product according to claim 1 wherein the film further comprises aplasticizer.
 8. The unit dose product according to claim 7 wherein theplasticizer is selected from the group consisting of: polyethyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof.
 9. The unit doseproduct according to claim 1 wherein the film is a water-soluble film.10. The unit dose product according to claim 1 wherein at least one ofthe one or more active agents released when the film is exposed toconditions of intended use.
 11. The unit dose product according to claim1 wherein at least one of the one or more active agents is selected fromthe group consisting of: skin care active agents, beauty benefit activeagents, personal care active agents, hair care active agents, fabriccare active agents, dishwashing active agents, hard surface activeagents, agricultural active agents, ingestible active agents, liquidtreatment active agents, industrial active agents, and mixtures thereof.12. The unit dose product according to claim 11 wherein at least one ofthe one or more active agents comprises one or more fabric care activeagents.
 13. The unit dose product according to claim 11 wherein at leastone of the one or more active agents comprises one or more hair careactive agents.
 14. The unit dose product according to claim 11 whereinat least one of the one or more active agents comprises one or more skincare active agents.
 15. The unit dose product according to claim 1wherein at least one of the one or more active agents comprises asurfactant.
 16. The unit dose product according to claim 1 wherein atleast one of the one or more active agents is selected from the groupconsisting of: antioxidants, UV agents, dispersants, disintegrants,antimicrobial agents, antibacterial agents, oxidizing agents, reducingagents, handling/release agents, perfume agents, surfactants, bleachingagents, enzymes, builders, chelants, softening agents, dye transferinhibiting agents, dissolution aids, ingestible active agents, coloragents, and mixtures thereof to the nonwoven web.
 17. The unit doseproduct according to claim 1 wherein the film is a non-porous film. 18.The unit dose product according to claim 1 wherein the unit dose productcomprises a pouch.
 19. The unit dose product according to claim 18wherein the pouch comprises a laundry detergent composition.
 20. Theunit dose product according to claim 18 wherein the pouch comprises adishwashing detergent composition.